The great bathing festival at Prayag or Allahabad is celebrated at the Maha Kumbha every 12 years, and in between, at every Ardh Kumbha. Ceremonial bathing at the sacred sangam or conjunction of the Ganga, Yamuna and the subtle Saraswati known as the legendary mythological river begins with the full moon of Paush, on 3rd Jaunary 2007. The District Magistrate has accordingly declared the Mela period from 3rd January 2007 till Shivaratri, the great night of Lord Shiva, on 16th February 2007. The entire period is considered auspicious, with several special bathing dates.

India Travelogue expects to be able to provide information regarding staying arrangements as well as particular programmes at some of the camps in the heart of the Kumbha area. These will be of especial interest to those wanting to attend spiritual discourses and be able to have darshan of some of the saints and sages who are difficult to meet, otherwise. Anyone seriously interested in the Kumbha Festival is requested to fill the following form with details. We will get in touch with you. Submit Your Query Form

The Snan Parva or Bathing Dates for Ardh Kumbha, Allahabad 2007 have been announced as: 3rd January 2007 - Poush Purnima (Full Moon) Full moon of Paush. The sadhu-sanyasins and the first pilgrims will have already arrived. Early days of the Kumbha. The cold winter will still be severe. A time of austerieties, of resolve and of determined hard work and of preparation for the largest spiritual congregation.

14th January 2007 - Makar Sankranti
This festival is celebrated throughout India. It is the first of the major bathing days. The steady march of pilgrims will have begun. At the camps in the Akhadas, the sadhus will be there in strength. A time of anusthan.

19th January 2007 - Mouni Amavasya
Also known as the new moon of the mahatmas. The grand ceremonial processions in all their pomp and glory, the celebrated snan of the sadhu-sanyasins, have transformed the Kumbha Mela Kshetra to a space of reverberating spiritual energy, palpable to pilgrim and tourist alike. It is also the day when formal sanyas diksha will be taken in the Akhadas in age-old tradition.

23rd January 2007 - Basant Panchami
The fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month traditionally marks the beginning of spring in North India. A profusion of yellow, the colour associated with the festival, amidst the pilgrims. Prayers for a good harvest, prayers for the bountiful blessings of the Gods.

2 February 2007 – Magh Purnima (full Moon)
The silvery moon of Magha will glitter over the sangam of the sacred Ganga, Yamuna and the subtle Saraswati, otherwise called the mythological river. The trail of departing pilgrims will soon obliterate the footprints of those remianing.

15th to 16th February 2007 - Mahashivratri
The Great Night of Shiva, when devotees of Lord Shiva worship him with incalculable reverence. The final bathing date that marks the end of yet another Kumbha at Prayag.

Kumbhas to Come

The exact dates of the Kumbha are traditionally notified by the district administration after planetary conjunctions are calculated in association with the belssings of the sadhu-sants.