Haridwar
Kumbh Mela - 2027

Kumbh Mela

Crazy and chaotic are the words that best define the Kumbh Mela. Amidst the intermittent chanting of mantras, the heart rendering dance of the Aghoris and the holy ghats lit up with fiery diyas, you will have no chance but to go with the flow. The Kumbh Mela, will not just lend you with a day’s feeling but a mind boggling experience that you will remember for a lifetime.

Swarming like fireflies towards a bulbous giant, millions of zealous devotees come together to wash away their sins during the Kumbh Mela. The origin of these mammoth spiritual gatherings can be traced back to the existence of Demons and Gods on earth.

Among the most euphoric religious events in India, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times in twelve years. Herds of sadhus and devotees crowd the sanctified pavilions to be a part of the ‘world’s massive act of faith.’ Kumbh Mela is considered the most auspicious time to take a dip in the sacred river to free oneself from the sins and attain a step forward towards salvation. The most popular draws of the mela are the Nagas (naked sadhus), Urdhawavahurs (who expose their body to extreme austerities) and the Kalpwasis (the ones who bathe three times a day). Apart from these, the rituals that are performed during this time are worth witnessing.

The Kumbh Mela observes the World’s largest peaceful gathering at some of the most significant destinations in the history of Hinduism. Haridwar (river Ganga), Prayag (Triveni sangam of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati), Ujjain (River Kshipra), and Nasik (River Godavari) are the Kumbh Mela Destinations which are said to be eternally blessed during this time. These sites are prominent due to the legend revolving around Lord Vishnu. In the legend, Lord Vishnu was said to be carrying a pot of holy nectar that had appeared during the ‘Samudra Manthan’, which the Gods and the demons had churned the milky ocean to obtain. As per the Hindu mythology, Kumbh derived from the Sanskrit word ‘pitcher’ had the ‘Amrita’ the immortal nectar. A scuffle later, four drops of the nectar were spilled. The places where the drops spilled are the pilgrim sites where the Kumbh Mela takes place. Enthusiastic and ardent travelers who yearn to explore the Cultural Heritage of India can be part of the incessant hysteria at the Kumbh.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2027 Dates – January 14, 2027 to April 20, 2027

The holy land of Haridwar enjoys being in the vicinity of some equally sacred and beautiful destinations. These religious destinations can be visited while on a visit to the Kumbh Mela 2027, given the proximity. The destinations that one might want to explore while visiting Haridwar include Varanasi and its ghat, Lord Rama’s Ayodhya, Krishna Janmabhoomi of Mathura, Vrindavan, the holy town of Chitrakoot, and the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sarnath.

Dynamic skies coloured with India’s belief in religion, traditions and culture stands tall the city behind the blossom of Buddhism, Varanasi. Revered as the holiest city out of the Seven most sacred cities in Jainism and Hinduism, Varanasi sits closely on the western banks of River Ganga, in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. Sculpted out by the Supreme Being Shiva himself the city is blessed with around 23000 temples and ancient marvels that date back to 18th Century. Giving it a modern blend, the city now is popularly known as an essential industrial hub famous for its muslin, perfumes, ivory works, sculptures and silk fabrics.

Turn the pages of history and visit Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, the divine Hindu deity known for defeating evil. Renowned as the spiritual heart of Uttar Pradesh, this ancient city is one of the seven most important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus, where devotees are often found chanting verses from the Ramayana. This sacred town is filled with the aroma of burning incense wafting from temple doors. Here, apart from joining the grand evening aarti on the banks of the Sarayu River, you can also admire the architectural splendour of the many Hindu temples that grace the city.

Located in Uttar Pradesh, the city of Mathura is highly revered for being the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Being of such prominence, the city welcomes huge crowds of devotees every year who come to Mathura in search of peace and tranquility. Based along the River Yamuna, Mathura has numerous holy ghats- or stepped river banks. Among the popular places to visit in the city, the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi is at the forefront of them all, the place where Lord Krishna is said to have been born, which remains open for visitors. For the ardent devotees, Mathura has many temples to pay a visit to.

A popular pilgrimage destination among the devotees of Lord Krishna, the holy city of Vrindavan is located along the banks of the River Yamuna, in Uttar Pradesh. The city attracts hordes of people everywhere for being the place where Lord Krishna spent his time as a child. Being a major pilgrim site of the country, it has a number of temples dedicated to Lord Krishna, Radha, and Lord Vishnu. A Vaishnavite paradise, Vrindavan is sure to charm the hearts of its visitors with its serenity and beauty. At Vrindavan, the festivals of Holi and Krishna Janmashtami are celebrated with much fervor and are something that shouldn’t be missed.

The abode of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita during their exile, Chitrakoot finds mentions in the Hindu holy text of Ramayana. The town of Chitrakoot is spread over the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, falling in the Vindhya ranges. The holy town honors Lord Rama and has a number of temples and sites related to him. An ardent follower of Lord Rama, Tulsidas too, spent a considerable amount of his life at Chitrakoot. Translating to a ‘Place of Many Wonders’, Chitrakoot is also said to be the place where incarnations of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva took place.

Find your true purpose amid the peaceful aura of this top tourist destination, Sarnath considered sacred by the divine Buddhist. Seated near the rivers, Varuna and Ganges, Sarnath is popularly known as one of the four religious sites on the Buddhist circuit located in Uttar Pradesh. While here, you can explore the many religious sites erected by emperor Ashoka or feel relaxed sightseeing the old ruins of stupas like Dhamekh and Chaukhandi. But what truly makes Sarnath the most revered center for Buddhism is that Gautama Buddha had come here after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya to preach and teach about dharma.