Kumbh Mela is a major Hindu pilgrimage and festival that takes place every 12 years, rotating among four sacred sites in India: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The festival is rooted in Hindu mythology, particularly the legend of Samudra Manthana, where gods and demons churned the ocean of creation to produce the nectar of immortality. It is said that four drops of Amrit fell on four different places on Earth, which are now the locations of the Kumbh Mela. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is going to be held at Prayagraj from January 13th, 2025 to February 26th, 2025. Shahi Snan is a pivotal event in the Kumbh Mela. It's a royal bath where saints and sadhus from various akharas (religious groups) take a dip in the sacred rivers, followed by millions of devotees.
There are six significant Shahi Snan dates in the Kumbh Mela 2025:
1. Paush Purnima: January 13, 2025, considered an auspicious day for purification and prayer.
2. Makar Sankranti: January 14, 2025, marks the sun's entry into Capricorn and is a day of spiritual ascent.
3. Mauni Amavasya: January 29, 2025, a day of silence and fasting, believed to purify the mind and soul.
4. Basant Panchami: February 3, 2025, marks the beginning of spring and is a day to worship Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge.
5. Maghi Purnima: February 12, 2025, considered an auspicious day for bathing and spiritual growth.
6. Maha Shivratri: February 26, 2025, a day dedicated to Lord Shiva and marks the conclusion of the Kumbh Mela.
During the Shahi Snan, devotees believe that taking a dip in the sacred waters washes away their sins and purifies their souls. The event is a spectacle of faith, culture, and spirituality, attracting millions of pilgrims from around the world.
