Taking sacred baths at Maha Kumbh Mela is believed to purify the soul and wash away sins. Let’s look at the dates of all the shahi snan, history, and significance of the holy mela.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, being held from January 13 to February 26 in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, saw its first Amrit Snan occasion of Makar Sankranti on Tuesday. This holy dip is led by sadhus or seers from akharas,

Over the coming 45 days, an estimated 400 million Hindus are expected to come together for Maha Kumbh Mela. The festival is held every 12 years but the "Maha" or grand Kumbh Mela takes place only every 144 years, "marking the 12th Kumbh Mela and a special celestial alignment of the sun, moon and Jupiter", said The Guardian.

An Indian woman’s daring skydive at 13,000 feet with the Maha Kumbh flag has gone viral, captivating millions and spotlighting Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Watch the inspiring video!

While the Kumbh Mela festival is ordinarly held every three years, rotating between several holy cities on the banks of these rivers, the Maha Kumbh Mela occurs only once every 12 years. Maha means “great”, and the event attracts the most devotees because it is considered the most auspicious and holy in the cycle.

It’s late evening in the city of Prayagraj and the roadside vendors selling snacks are packing up their wares to shut for the night.

By Saurabh Sharma PRAYAGRAJ, India (Reuters) -Naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the waters of sacred rivers in India on Tuesday, part of a large crowd of 35 million devotees who took the holy dip on the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela,