Kumbh, Naga Sadhus and the Hindu ascetic warrior tradition

The Kumbh Mela, a grand spectacle, is __ hailed as the most populous religious pilgrimage in the world.

- AVATANS KUMAR

It magnetizes tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims, devotees of all Dharmic faiths, tourists, and a global media contingent. Beyond its spiritual magnificence, the Kumbh is renowned for the Shahi Snan of the Hindu Naga ascetic warriors, a sight that leaves one in awe.

The Kumbh Mela is not just an event; it's a living testament to Hindu spirituality, cultural heritage, legends, and lore. This sacred gathering occurs every 12 years and rotates among four holy sites in India: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The next Kumbh Mela, scheduled for 2025, will commence in Prayagraj on Makar Sankranti on January 14 and conclude on Maha Shivratri on February 26. This upcoming Kumbh, particularly significant due to the rare Maha Kumbh occurring every 144 years, is a historical marvel.

The Kumbh Mela is intricately linked to the legend of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean. According to the legend, a pot (kumbh) containing the nectar of immortality emerged during the Manthan. A few drops of this nectar fell at four locations, including Prayagraj, which is significant as the confluence of the three riversGanga, Yamuna, and now dried-up Saraswati, known as Triveni Sangam.

The earliest reference to Kumbh or Kumbh-like pilgrimage, according to the official website of the Mela, can be found in the Rigveda, the earliest texts of the Hindus composed around 1,500 BCE or earlier. Among other texts, The Vishnu Purana provides a detailed account of the Manthan. One of the first references to the Mela in its nascent phase is found during the Maurya period (4th century BCE).