After the grand Mahakumbh 2025, know when and where next Kumbh Mela is?

Highlights: The Maha Kumbh Mela is the largest religious congregation in India, with millions of attendees gathering at Sangam [20]  Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar, 2027, is the next Kumbh Mela in the schedule  Kumbh at Nashik in 2027, action plan and arrangements Ujjain Simhastha 2028 A brief about the Kumbh The successful commencement of Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025

The Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj officially ended on 26th February after 45 days, with the final snan (bath) of Mahashivratri on the Triveni Sangam. The holy event, which was held after 144 years, marked an attendance of over 66 crore devotees taking a dip in the waters of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Millions gathered to participate in the Amrit Snans held on Makar Sankranti, Paush Purnima, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchmi, Magh Purnima, Mahashivratri, and other days [1]. Now, with its culmination, devotees and visitors are eager to know when they will be able to witness the next Kumbh Mela. Putting all the questions to rest, we have got it all here for you: 

Ardh Kumbh 2027 in Haridwar 

There are two Kumbh Melas set to be organized in March 2027, the first one in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on the banks of Ganga, which will be an Ardh Kumbh. 

Lakhs of devotees gathered at Har ki Pauri Ghat during the 2021 Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar (Image source: X) 

It will be held after 6 years (after 2021), according to the astrological positions of the stars: When Jupiter is in Aquarius and the Sun is in Aries [2].  Haridwar’s Kumbh is believed to be the original Kumbh Mela because it is said to be according to the astrological sign Kumbha (Aquarius) [5].  The earliest Kumbh in Haridwar was held in the 16th century, mentioned in the texts Khulasat-ul-Tawarikh and Chahar Gulshan. Haridwar hosted its last Purna Kumbh in 2021; the next one is slated in 2033.  

The Pushkar Singh Dhami Government plans to make the Haridwar Kumbh grand and divine, but with proper safety and security [3]. 

There will be an Amrit Snan for the first time in the Ardh Kumbh of Haridwar. For this, the CM sent invitations to the All India Akhara Parishad, as confirmed by its President, Shrimant Ravindra Puri [4].   In a meeting of government officials dated February 25, 2025, there were discussions regarding traffic control, parking arrangements, and crowd management, including the expenditure and infrastructure requirements as per the media reports. 

 

#WATCH | Haridwar, Uttarakhand: The government officials held a meeting regarding the preparations for ‘Ardh Kumbh 2027’. (25.02) pic.twitter.com/AtGFOmwKHG

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) February 25, 2025 Temporary cities are established for the comfortable accommodation of devotees, along with timely medical and emergency services [2]. Kumbh at Nashik 2027

The next Kumbh Mela is set to be held within a few months after the Haridwar Kumbh, with Nashik in Maharashtra hosting it. It will be organized after 12 years, the last one in 2015. Well, the schedule isn’t confirmed for the 2027 Kumbh Mela in Nashik. Yet, it is known that it is slated to take place from July 17, 2027, to September 25, 2027 [6]. 

Devotees taking a holy dip in the Godavari river on the first day of the 2015 Nashik Kumbh Mela (Image source: X) 

Kumbh Mela in Nashik will be organized at Trimbakeshwar, approximately 38 km away from the city on the sacred banks of the river Godavari [6]. For the organization of the Kumbh in Nashik, the state government of Maharashtra has already begun with the preparations, and the city is gearing up for the grand event, as reported by ANI [7]. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had chaired a review meeting on the preparations for the event at the beginning of the year. He also directed the formation of an authority for the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar [8].  Before this, the Nashik Municipal Commissioner inspected the various sites that are a part of the Kumbh Mela, focusing on [9] -

          Crowd control,

          Disaster management, 

          Traffic movement and the development of the Sadhugram (where the sadhus will stay during the mela). 

Nashik already has 100 acres of land for the event, and is in the process of acquiring another 250 acres of land [9].  The city has been upgraded and promises to have an AI push as well as drones in operation. Addressing a programme of CII Young Indians in Nashik in March 2025, Fadnavis said that the 2027 Kumbh Mela in Nashik will be “an amalgamation of faith and technology.”  Road connectivity is ensured across Makhmalabad and alternative routes leading to Gangapur road with smooth stretches between the Mumbai-Agra national highway and Dindori city. Plans for a ring road around the city are being considered by the officials to manage the traffic [9].  Ujjain Simhastha

In the very next year after the Nashik Kumbh, the Simhastha 2028 will be hosted in Ujjain on the banks of the river Kshipra. 

Devotees at the 2016 Simhastha in the ancient city of Ujjain (Image source: X) 

Simhastha is organized when Jupiter is in Leo (Simha in Hindu astrology, that is why the name Simhastha, after 12 years [10] .  Ujjain Kumbh is conducted with special reverence to the Mahakal Jyotirlinga, the abode of Lord Shiva’s lingam. It is an adaptation of the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha, the first of its kind, organized in the 18th century [11]. In 2028, it will be held from March 27 to May 27, with three royal baths for the devotees. The main snan, on the full moon day in Vaisakha month (April-May) [13]. 

The city of Ujjain is prepping for Simhastha 2028, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav looking after the plans and arrangements:

The state budget allocates Rs. 2005 crore for Simhastha 2028 [12].  A permanent city will be established in Ujjain across an area of 2378 hectares that will be equipped with all the facilities, providing world-class infrastructure [12].  The aim is to make Ujjain a well-organized city of religion and culture with world-class infrastructure to host Simhastha and other such events in the future. Proper road connectivity, along with the development of sewage lines, is in progress [12].  Security and crowd management are proposed to have AI-driven technology, such as a face recognition system [12].  Kumbh: The largest spiritual gathering 

A sea of devotees gathered at Triveni Sangam to take the holy dip during Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj (Image source: Posted on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's X handle)

The Kumbh mela takes place at four sacred sites, which are believed to be the places where Amrit (immortal nectar) fell from heaven during the Samudra Manthan, i.e., the churning of the ocean. The battle for the elixir of immortality between Gods and demons lasted for 12 days, equivalent to 12 human years [14]. These four sites are:

The four sacred sites where the immortal elixir dropped from heaven during the churning of the ocean [14] [15] Location Zodiac Season First Snan (Bathing date)  Haridwar (Ganga) Jupiter in Aquarius, Sun in Aries Vasant Chaitra (January to April) Maha Shivratri Prayagraj (Confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati) Jupiter in Aries, Sun and Moon in Capricorn, or Jupiter in Taurus, Sun in Capricorn Shishira Magh (Jan-Feb) Makar Sankranti Nashik-Trimbak (Godavari) Jupiter in Leo, or Jupiter, Sun & Moon in Cancer on Lunar Conjunction  Varsha Bhadrapada (July-Aug-Sept) Simha Sankranti Ujjain (Kshipra) Jupiter in Leo, and Sun in Aries, or Jupiter, Sun, and Moon in Libra on Kartik Amavasya Grishma Vaishakh (April-May) Chaitra Purnima 

People believe that a holy dip in these waters during the Kumbh is a path to one’s prayshchita or atonement, where one is cleansed from all his sins [16].  Apart from all the mentions of the Kumbh Mela in the holy scriptures and other historical texts, including Ramcharitramanas of Tulsidas, the first Kumbh Mela event was registered in 1870 and organized under British rule [17]. Various kinds of Kumbh Mela occur every few years at one of the four sacred sites. These correlate with the astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter according to the Hindu lunar calendar [15]. 

The one that takes place every four years is the Kumbh Mela, while the one after every six years is the Ardh Kumbh Mela, and the Kumbh Mela held after 12 years is called a Purna Kumbh Mela [18].  The Kumbh mela that was organized recently was the ‘Mahakumbh’, which is held after a period of 144 years, only in Prayagraj [18]. While Haridwar and Prayag organize an Ardh Kumbh every six years, the latter also conducts a Purna Kumbh mela in twelve years [18].  Lastly, Ujjain and Nashik host a Purna Kumbh mela in twelve years respectively [18].  

The success of Mahakumbh, Prayagraj

The world’s largest spiritual gathering began on January 13, 2025, in Prayagraj on the holy confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The event culminated after 45 days, marking six snans on- Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima, and Mahashivratri [1].  The sunset view of Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, on the final snan of Mahashivratri (Image source: ANI)

Saints and seers from all over the world, including the Naga Sadhus from the Himalayas, ensured their presence. 

The event witnessed a footfall of over 66 crore devotees from all over the world and every sect of society, be it dignitaries, business leaders, political leaders, celebrities, or the common people [1].

The Mahakumbh united all, irrespective of their caste, religion, color, or creed. The religious spirit, devotion, and enthusiasm of the people knew no bounds.

Upon the conclusion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his gratitude for the success of the grand event, reflecting upon the guidance and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Acknowledging the efforts of all, he said, “With a little political will and the right support, any result can be achieved.”

 

आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के मार्गदर्शन में आयोजित मानवता का 'महायज्ञ', आस्था, एकता और समता का महापर्व महाकुम्भ-2025, प्रयागराज आज महाशिवरात्रि के पवित्र स्नान के साथ ही अपनी पूर्णाहुति की ओर अग्रसर है। 13 जनवरी, पौष पूर्णिमा से प्रारंभ महाकुम्भ-2025, प्रयागराज…

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) February 26, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned an article after the culmination of the Mahakumbh in which he called the huge gathering “a newly awakened national consciousness”. Saying that the country now breathes freely, breaking free from the centuries-old mindset that is shackled in slavery. Further stressing the need to move forward with unity and self-confidence to achieve the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. He wrote, “The Mahakumbh has concluded. The ‘Mahayajna’ of unity has concluded. [19] ”

 

As the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj concludes, penned few thoughts on this landmark gathering, which wonderfully illustrated the cultural, societal and spiritual strength of our land. Do read my blog in English.https://t.co/vOycQ4urzI

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2025

Even though the Mahakumbh has ended in Prayagraj, India is now gearing up for the Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar. Another mega event to be a success with all the bustle and spirit, uniting masses for their sole human belief towards the divine!