The largest festival in the world, the Kumbh Mela, is an extraordinary showcase of India’s spiritual and cultural tapestry. It welcomes some 200 million people worldwide to experience dynamic and mystical rituals and celebrations. 

Taking place once every four years, in cyclical rotation between four sites over a 12-year cycle. Its exact dates are determined by astrological interpretation of the Sun, Moon and Jupiter. The festival relates to the celestial battle between the Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons) as they churned the oceans of creation, during which amrit, an elixir of immortality, spilled onto four sacred sites along the Ganges. The sites include Prayagraj (Allahabad), Nashik, Ujjain, and Haridwar. Among them, the Maha Kumbh Mela stands as the most auspicious, occurring every 12 years in Prayagraj and is revered as the holiest of all, nestling at the confluence of three holy rivers, the Ganges, Jumna and the mythical Sarasvati river.

For worshipers, the central ritual of the Kumbh culminates in a holy dip in the celestial water of the sacred Ganges to seek redemption and, ultimately, Moksha for the cycle of birth and death for one's soul and the souls of passed ancestors. While the bathings take place every day, the most cherished are the Shahi Snan, or ‘Royal Baths’, when the sadhus, saints, and holy men and naked mahants of the thirteen akharas (Hindu monasteries) lead impressive and vibrant processions to the bathing ghats, often accompanied by elephants, horses all marching to the sound of horns, bells and trumpets. A spectacle that lives with you forever.

We organise vantage points for visitors to experience the processions, bathing rituals and celebratory feasts that take place daily, in which devotees sit in rows to share a communal meal. Such food is paid for by sponsors, cooked by volunteers and feeds devotees for free. Each morning and evening visitors can experience the spectacular Aarti, in which temple priests perform the aarti, reciting hymns and waving flaming torches along the banks of the Ganges. they can also enjoy boat rides on the ganers, guided walks and visits to ancient temples are included. Then, as the sun sets, the evenings are adorned with captivating laser light shows that paint the skies with brilliance.

Throughout the festival, holy make themselves available to the public discourse, spiritual guidance and philosophical discussions, should you wish to engage. Numerous pop-ups sprout along the banks, exhibiting and selling traditional and local arts, crafts and street food throughout the festival, where visitors can admire, purchase or simply experience artisanal traditions from every corner of India. 

Classical dance and music performances unfold alongside yoga classes and wellness retreats, all of which are available for you to enjoy.