Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, Prayagraj

The kumbh mela rotates among four sacred locations, with Prayagraj hosting the Maha Kumbh, which is considered the largest and most significant. Railways: Prayagraj is well-connected to major cities via eight key stations, including Prayagraj Junction, Rambagh, Sangam, and Naini Junction. Visitors can book tickets on trains from Delhi (Rajdhani Express, Vande Bharat), Mumbai (Mahanagari SF, Saket SF), and Kolkata (Howrah-Prayagraj Express). Train routes and bookings are available on the IRCTC website. Air Connectivity: Prayagraj airport is located 13 km from Bamrauli. There are regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. Road Travel: Prayagraj is well-connected by a national and state highway network, on which state-run buses from UPSRTC and private operators run services from major cities.

Prayagraj offers a variety of accommodation options for visitors, who want to attend the Maha Kumbh. Tented Accommodation: For an authentic experience, visitors can stay at the tent cities near the mela area, just 1.1 km from Triveni Sangam. Tented accommodation ranges from basic setups to luxurious cottages with private amenities. Hotels: Prayagraj has other options, ranging from high-end hotels to budget-friendly lodges equipped with modern amenities. Ashrams: Ashrams provide basic facilities along with spiritual programmes and activities.

Visitors can use government-run buses or auto-rickshaws and taxi cabs to get around Prayagraj, whether from the railway station to the accommodation or ghats and the main mela grounds. These are budget-friendly options that provide better access to congested areas.

Visitors must be up to date with their vaccinations for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), tetanus and influenza. Additional vaccination for hepatitis A and typhoid can be considered. Visitors should avoid tap water, raw salads, unpeeled fruit and unhygienic street food. You can carry energy bars for convenience. Visitors can opt for comfortable and sturdy shoes, and also have a first-aid kit handy with essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, insect repellent and personal medication.

Shahi Snan: The Maha Kumbh features key ‘Shahi Snan’ days. Major dates include Makar Sankranti on January 14, Mauni Amavasya on January 29, and Basant Panchami on February 3. Others are Paush Purnima (January 13), Achla Saptami (February 4), Maghi Purnima (February 12) and Maha Shivratri (February 26). Ghats: Arail Ghat offers stunning views of the ‘Sangam’ – the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Sarasvati rivers. Ram Ghat has a historical and spiritual significance, while the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Sangam is a must-see. Art & Culture: The mela also features cultural performances, including traditional music, dance and theatrical depictions of Hindu epics.

Prayagraj has a rich blend of spiritual and historical landmarks. Key sites include the Hanuman Temple, which is famous for its reclining statue that is submerged during the monsoon, the ancient Patalpuri Temple and the Kalyani Devi Temple dedicated to Hindu deity Kalyani. Other attractions include the iconic Allahabad Fort, built by Akbar and housing the Patalpuri Temple, Ashoka Pillar and Saraswati Koop. You can visit Anand Bhavan, the Nehrus’ ancestral home, which is now a museum and highlights India’s independence struggle. Khusro Bagh is another well-known attraction. It is a Mughal garden with the tombs of Khusro Mirza and his family.

The kumbh mela offers traditional north Indian thalis, street food like chole bhature, aloo puri, kachori sabzi and snacks such as pani puri, chaat and samosas. Sweets like jalebi, gulab jamun and rasgulla, paired with beverages like masala chai, lassi, and nimbu paani, complete the culinary adventure. Langars provide free vegetarian meals for an authentic experience. Visitors can also volunteer for crowd management, medical aid, or environmental cleanup. You can also take part in workshops on crafts, yoga, and vedic rituals.