Explained | Maha Kumbh Mela: History and how locations are decided

The Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times in a 12-year span -- once every three years and is held in four places in rotation, which are Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.

Preparations are under way with great enthusiasm in Prayagraj for the upcoming Maha Kumbh 2025.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is a rare event that is celebrated in a grand manner at Prayagraj every 144 years. The Maha Kumbh Mela comes after 12 Kumbh Melas.

As the city prepares to host millions of devotees, the excitement is palpable among sadhus, Kalpvasis, pilgrims and local residents alike, Uttar Pradesh government had said.

This year, an estimated 40 to 45 crore devotees are expected to visit Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh, which is set to take place from January 13 to February 26.

As the nation gears towards the Maha Kumbh, let us know more about it and how the location for the mela is decided.

The Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times in a 12-year span -- once every three years, and it is held in four places in rotation, which are Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik.

The location of Kumbh Mela is based on the astrological alignment of planets. The position of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon is taken into consideration and the zodiac sign in which it lies is also checked.

As Jupiter takes about 12 years to orbit around the Sun, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated 4 times over the course of 12 years.

Now let us take a look at how the planets should align in order to celebrate Kumbh Mela in that location:

Prayagraj: The Kumbh Mela is celebrated in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj when Jupiter is placed in Taurus and the Sun, Moon is in Capricorn. Prayagraj is situated where the Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati meet.

Haridwar: Kumbh Mela in Haridwar is celebrated when Jupiter stays in Aquarius, the Sun is in Aries and the Moon in Sagittarius. Haridwar is located along the Ganges River.

Ujjain: When Jupiter is in Leo, the Sun and the Moon in Aries, it is the perfect alignment for Kumbh Mela to be celebrated in Ujjain. Ujjain is located on the Shipra River.

Nashik: Located on the Godavari riverbanks, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated in Nashik when Jupiter is in Leo, and the Sun, the Moon are in Cancer.

The four locations mentioned above are believed to be sacred places and there is a belief that bathing in the holy rivers will cleanse all the sins.

History says that during the event of churning of the ocean, or "Sagar Manthan", there was a pot, or 'Kumbh' that contained 'Amrita', the nectar of immortality.

The gods and the demons are said to have worked together for Sagar Manthan; however, during the churning, a few drops of 'Amrita' fell on the four sacred locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain.

(With PTI inputs)