Kumbh Mela Prayagraj 2025: All You Need To Know

In this blog I’ll discuss all you need to know about the upcoming 2025 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela. From suggested travel itinerary to best time to attend a shahi snan, learn all here.

Note: The following article will also include excerpts from my 2019 Prayagraj Kumbh experience.

Now, let’s read ahead… 

In 2025, the Kumbh Mela is going to take place in the historic city of Prayagraj (earlier known as Allahabad). On the very first day of the event, over 1 crore pilgrims are expected to visit the city, wanting to take a dip in the sacred waters of the Saraswati River.

But the question is, in a city of 1.2 Lakh people, if over 1 crore visitors end up in a day (more than what Char Dham Yatra temples of Badrinath Kedarnath get) what are the chances of getting a good experience? Is it easy to travel to Kumbh Mela? Being the world’s biggest gathering, isn’t it too crowded to see and experience anything?

Let’s find out from my previous Kumbh Mela Prayagraj experience…

I visited the 2019 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela on the first day and stayed there for a couple of nights, in the tent city, close to Triveni Ghat.

Honestly speaking, I didn’t initially like it as I am not a big fan of visiting crowded places. To me, it did not only feel overwhelmingly overcrowded but also lacked the infrastructure to cater to the needs of tourists. Public toilets were overflowing, roads were jammed, and most places were overcharging. I could feel more confusion and filth around me than spirituality and religion – thanks to all the things I hate about travelling in India that I found there.

The daily inflow of tourists, however, decreased in the coming days, as the first day of 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela also happened to be the auspicious Makar Sankranti and one of the three ‘shahi snans‘ happened on the first day.

With each passing day, the condition of the budget accommodation in Kumbh Mela and public toilets will also keep decreasing.

So before I go ahead with my 2025 Kumbh Mela Travel Guide, let’s ask us the most important question…

Is Prayagraj Kumbh Mela Worth Visiting?

Depends on what you’re looking for!

If you’re religious person and believe that a dip in the Sangam during Maha Kumbh will make a difference in your spiritual life, it is worth visiting.

But if you are going to be there for just an experience, you may just end up complaining more about the place than actually exploring it and enjoying its good tidings. Tip: In this case, you can make your experience better by booking a luxury stay. I can recommend Shivadya Camps by ERA Hospitality for Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2025 (will talk more about them later in the article).

To make the decision easier furthermore, let’s talk about the different accommodation options I witnessed in the previous Kumbh Mela that took place in Parayagraj in 2019.

Please note that 2025’s accommodation might be slightly different when, however, the following will give a good idea of what to expect.

Where To Stay In Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela offers a mix of luxury and budget accommodation. You can choose as per your pocket size.

Luxury Accommodation in Kumbh Mela

Good accommodation for a 1-night stay begins somewhere from 10,000 per tent on a twin-sharing basis, with something more superior costing as much as 30,000 Rupees for two people, per tent.

A six-day/five-night package in the super-luxury tent can cost over 1 lakh Rupees per couple (something as much as other big events in the country like Rann Utsav in Kutch, Gujarat).

But yeah, such an arrangement will offer everything you may need for a comfortable stay.

For example, my accommodation in SHIVADYA CAMPS for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 for two nights is costing me 55,200 Rupees (+18% GST) for two people. This includes all meals during the stay. I have booked it in June 2024 (yes, nearly 6 months in advance) and I recommend you do so too because good accommodations for Kumbh Mela go fully booked months in advance. Some of their exclusive amenities include…

• Continuous Security Surveillance
• Fine Dining Area
• Inhouse Yagya-shala & Meditation Center
• Continuous Electrical Supply
• Daily Evening Bonfire
• Fully-Equipped Medical Tent
• Guaranteed cleanliness on-premise

Check their website for more details.

Budget Accommodation in Kumbh Mela

If you’re looking for something on the lower end of the spectrum, however, you can choose a guesthouse for nearly 3000 Rupees per night. The room will be very basic but have a private toilet. Again, note, unlike tents, most of the guesthouses, are located near the train station only, which is nearly 10 km (or a 300Rs auto rikshaw ride) away from Triveni Sangam.

If you want to stay close to Triveni and in a budget tent accommodation, you can get a bed in a 10-bed dormitory for nearly 1000 Rupees per night per person. And at such a price, comes the not-so-clean bedsheets and the not-so-clean (with no running water of course) shared toilets.

So now that you’ve decided what to do, and before I proceed with other information to help you make the most of your 2025 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela visit, let’s understand…

The Significance of Kumbh Mela

Let’s go back to the time of Gods and Demons, before mankind existed, and look into the story of ‘Samudra Manthan’. This story will help you understand why Kumbh Mela happens in the first place.

A long long time ago, the Devas (or the demi-gods) fought against the Asuras (or the demons) to take possession of the Amrita (the drink of immortality). During the fight, Lord Vishnu dropped the drops of Amrita at four places, namely Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain.

As Amrita fell, the land at the said four places became divine and blessed with the rivers at each of these places becoming blessed, and it came to a belief that a dip in these holy rivers would rid people of all their sins and help them attain moksha.

Since then, sadhus and the general public have been gathering there to take a dip around the auspicious dates starting Makar Sankranti each year. The gathering is so ancient that the exact date of its origin is unknown.

Maha Kumbh is celebrated every 12 years in rotation at Prayagraj (the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers) Haridwar (Ganga river) Ujjain (Shipra river) and Nashik (Godavari river).
Ardh Kumbh is held every six years at only two places, either Prayagraj or Haridwar.

Kumbh Mela 2025 starts from 14th January and ends on 26 February 2025. A whopping 150 million devotees are expected to become a part of this splendid fair.

When To Visit The 2025 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela?

There are key dates for the Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh:

Makar Sankranti (1st shahi Snan)	Tuesday	14 Jan 2025
Paush Purnima	Monday	13 Jan 2025
Paush Ekadashi	Thursday	10 Jan 2025
Mauni Amavasya (2nd Shahi Snan)	Thursday	29 Jan 2025
Basant Panchami (3rd shahi Snan)	Sunday	03 Feb 2025
Magh Ekadashi	Thursday	07 Feb 2025
Maghi Purnima	Wednesday	12 Feb 2025
Maha Shivratri	Wednesday	26 Feb 2025

And sharing my two cents from whatever little I know, you must visit the Kumbh on one of the shahi snan days. In 2019, I attended Makar Sankranti shahi snan and it was an experience I could never imagine. From naked Naga babas riding horses, to others smeared in ash, every sight was a colourful mix of people and events.

For photographers, shahi snan is a perfect opportunity as Naga babas come out in full force.

The shahi snan moreover marks a very auspicious day for bathing in the Saraswati during the time of Kumbh.

Check out these Pictures of Kumbh Mela Naga Baba to find out what it’s like to be visiting it on a shahi snan day.

So yeah, if I were to suggest anything, I would suggest visiting the Kumbh Mela during one of the days of shahi snan. But do not end up in the city on the day of the shahi snan, as the ceremony takes place as early as 4 in the morning. And if you did so, you will find it impossible to get public transport and be left with no option but to walk some 10km from the train station to Triveni Sangam. Be in Prayagraj a day in advance.

My 2-Day Prayagraj Kumbh Mela Suggested Itinerary

Where most people arrive in the morning and leave on the same day in the evening, I suggest staying for at least one night to be able to visit the Akhadas and interact with Naga Sadhus (even if you’re not visiting on the day of shahi snan). This Kumbh Mela travel itinerary includes activities beyond just taking a dip in sangam and leaving.

Day 1

• Arrive in Prayagraj in the morning and find a place to stay.
• The tent city is located around 7km from the Allahabad train station, after crossing Shastri Bridge. To get there, you can either take an autorickshaw or a free shuttle bus. Find a place to stay and dump all the heavy and expensive stuff there.
• Walk to the main ghat and see where you will get access on the main day. Just walk around the Triveni Sangam area.
• Around sunset, a boat ride in the Sangam is a great thing to do. If you have time, you can also visit the famous Allahabad Fort.
• Take pictures, plan and more importantly soak in the space.

You can learn more about Kumbh Mela on the official government website.

Day 2

• Wake up around 3 in the morning and leave for Triveni Ghat to attend the ceremonies. It is good if you have figured out the path of the procession the previous day. If not, just follow the crowd and you should be okay.
• It’s a huge area and it’s good to go early and know all about it – also figure out the path of the procession.
• If you also want to take a holy dip, leave your belongings behind or with a friend. There are going to be hundreds and thousands of people crammed in a very small area. Pushing and pulling are going to be very rampant.
• The entire shahi snan ceremony will finish at around 10 am, with langar being served after the shahi snan. It is okay to click pictures of Naga Babas or anyone else.
• If possible visit the tents where the sadhus live and interact with them.

Useful Tips For Kumbh Mela

Interact With Sadhus

The best way to experience and enjoy the Kumbh Mela is by interacting with sadhus. 

So just go with the flow, and try to interact with others. Visit an Akhada, get yourself clicked with Naga babas, and indulge in a conversation.

As per my experience, pretty much every sadhu or a member of the general public visit Kumbh Mela with a good mood and consider it an auspicious occasion.

Carry Essentials

Daytime in Prayagraj can be quite sunny and warm. So carry your essentials like a sun cap and a bottle of water, other than a light jacket too if you’re planning to continue your stroll after sunset. Nighttime in Prayagraj sees a sudden dip in temperature.

If you’re staying in a budget tent accommodation, make sure you carry sanitiser. Taking a private bath won’t be possible and your only option will be taking a dip in the Sangam, so be prepared for it. The toilets may look filthy and since there’s no running water in public toilets provided by the government, cleaning yourself can be a problem. So plan for Kumbh Mela accordingly!

Take A Dip In the Sangam

I know the water at the Sangam will look dirty, but I will still suggest getting in and taking a dip. I did and it was a great experience.

Get Lost In The Tent City

The tent city in Kumbh Mela is full of small bylanes with something happening at every corner. Visit a satsang, attend spiritual talks and be a part of local games. Just don’t stay in your room or the tent, wander around. Get lost on purpose.

For Women Travellers

As a woman, be careful about what you wear. Always cover your shoulders and knees. Do not go into the Naga baba akharas, unless you take permission from them in advance. These men are celibates and the distraction of women is forbidden. Follow general practices as often advised while visiting a temple in India, whether it is a temple of a female goddess like Kamakhya temple or something else.

If you are looking for more tips, this article by BBC on how to plan for Kumbh Mela is also worth reading. With all the facts and figures, they have made a detailed analysis of how crazy it may be to attend this festival.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Kumbh Mela

If you can handle a bit of a crowd, the first day is always the best day to visit Kumbh Mela. This is when Aghoris from across India come. They stay for a few days and leave. 

Speaking from photographers and experientialist travellers, the first day is always the best day to visit Kumbh Mela.

Also, since most facilities are temporary (like toilets) they get dirty in a few days.

You will see a lot more action on Day 1 than on any other day. Some people also say that the last day is quite an action-packed, but as far as I know, there is no comparison to how things are on Day 1. 

Again, if you are wondering when is the best time to visit Kumbh Mela, hands down, it’s day 1.

How To Go To Kumbh Mela

It takes place in one of the four towns, namely Haridwar, Nashik, Prayagraj and Ujjain. If it’s happening in Prayagraj and Nashik, the best way to travel to Kumbh Mela is on a flight. If, however, it’s happening in Haridwar or Ujjain, travel on a train, as neither of the two towns has an airport.

The problem with taking a train is, however, that they are always fully loaded. In most cases, finding an allotted seat on a train becomes impossible. Though the government runs special trains for the Kumbh Mela, the number of people who travel is always more.

Having said that, the best way, if possible is on a flight, then on a train. If the city it’s happening to is under 500km, you can travel on a bus or even drive.

Have you been to Kumbh Mela? How was your experience?