Kumba Mela is a mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which Hindus gather to bathe in the sacred river. Kumbha Mela is a riverside festival held once in every twelve years at four locations in India, rotating between Allahabad at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna river. Kumbha Mela is one of the largest human congregations on the Earth. In the year 2016, Kumbh Mela or Simhastha is celebrated at Ujjain, spanned from 22nd of April to 21st of May.


Bathing in the rivers during the Kumbha Mela is considered an endeavor of great merit, cleansing both body and spirit. There is a difference of around 3 years between the Kumbha Melas at Haridwar and Nashik. The exact date is determined according to a combination of zodiac positions of the Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon.

At Nashik and Ujjain, the Mela will be held while a planet is in Leo (Simha as per Hindu astrology). It is also known as Simhastha. At Haridwar and Allahabad, an Ardha ("Half") Kumbh Mela is held every sixth year. A Maha ("Great") Kumbh Mela occurs after 144 years.


According to the Puranic epic, the gods and demons had churned the milky ocean at the beginning of time in order to gather various divine treasures including a jar containing Amrita, “the nectar of immortality.” As the jar emerged from the ocean the gods and demons began a battle for its possession. For twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the gods and demons fought in the sky for the possession of the potion of immortality. During the battle, the gods won the battle, four drops of the precious potion fell to earth. These places became the sites of the four Kumbha Mela festivals.

The ritual of Shahi Snan will be held on a day of full moon (Poornima) as per lunar calendar. Nearly ten million devotees across the country graces the festival with their presence on this auspicious day. Ujjain hosted the Ardha Kumbh in the year 2010 where numerous Hindus witnessed the occasion.


The below are the dates for shahi snan for the year 2016.

- Panuganti Mayuka.