Types of Kumbh Mela:

1. 1. Kumbh Mela: Regular festival, celebrated every 12 years at one of the four locations.
   2. Maha Kumbh Mela: The largest, celebrated once every 12 years at Prayagraj (confluence of Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati).
   3. Ardh Kumbh Mela: Held every 6 years in Prayagraj (half of the full Kumbh Mela).

• Purna Kumbh Mela: Held when a complete 12-year cycle is completed.

Locations:  Kumbh Mela rotates between four cities:

1. 1. Haridwar (on the banks of the Ganges),
   2. Prayagraj (confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati river),
   3. Ujjain (on the banks of the Shipra River),

• Nashik (on the banks of the Godavari River).

Key Rituals:

• Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) – A ritual where pilgrims in Akharas (processions) bathe in the holy river.
• Worship and Prayers – Pilgrims offer prayers along riverbanks, attend spiritual discourses, and perform fire rituals.
• Religious Processions – Several religious processions involving saints, gurus, and devotees take place.
• Community Prayers and Spiritual Discourses – Saints and religious leaders conduct spiritual teachings for the devotees.

• Spiritual Significance: Considered a sacred event for Hindus, aimed at spiritual cleansing, salvation, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth (Moksha).
• Cultural Unity: It is a remarkable event showcasing India’s unity and diversity, where millions of people from across the world come together.
• Mass Gathering: It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest peaceful gathering, with millions of pilgrims attending the event. In 2019, Kumbh Mela witnessed the largest peaceful public gathering ever recorded, with around 120 million people.
• Pilgrimage Tourism – The Kumbh Mela also significantly boosts local tourism, with a major influx of national and international pilgrims, contributing to local and national economies.

UNESCO Recognition – Kumbh Mela was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2017.