Maha Kumbh Mela dates
The full bathing calendar of the 2025 Prayagraj Maha Kumbh — the largest single human gathering ever recorded — and when the next one is due.
Short answer
The most recent Maha Kumbh Mela ran at Prayagraj from 13 January 2025 (Paush Purnima) to 26 February 2025 (Maha Shivratri) — 45 days. Held once every 144 years, the next Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj isn't expected until roughly 2169.
Prayagraj · 2025
The full Maha Kumbh bathing calendar
Six designated bathing dates spanned the 45-day event — more than a standard Purna Kumbh, reflecting its exceptional scale.
| Date | Occasion | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Jan 2025 | Paush Purnima | Opening Snan — festival start |
| 14 Jan 2025 | Makar Sankranti | First Amrit Snan |
| 29 Jan 2025 | Mauni Amavasya | Second Amrit Snan — the single largest bathing day |
| 3 Feb 2025 | Basant Panchami | Third Amrit Snan |
| 12 Feb 2025 | Maghi Purnima | Major Parva Snan |
| 26 Feb 2025 | Maha Shivratri | Closing Snan — festival end |
Cumulative attendance across the 45 days was estimated at over 400 million, making it the largest single gathering of people for one event ever recorded.
What makes it "Maha"
Not every big Kumbh gets this name
"Maha Kumbh" is a specific designation, not just a media label for a large crowd — though it's often used loosely that way in casual coverage.
It's tied to a 144-year cycle
Tradition holds this rarer configuration arrives after 12 full Purna Kumbh cycles at Prayagraj — 12 × 12 years.
It's specific to Prayagraj
The other three host cities don't traditionally use "Maha Kumbh" for their own rare-cycle events.
It draws exceptional scale
The 2025 edition's estimated attendance dwarfed even the largest standard Purna Kumbh editions at any of the four cities.
Common confusion
"Maha Kumbh" vs "Purna Kumbh"
Media coverage sometimes calls any large Prayagraj Kumbh a "Maha Kumbh" — including the 2013 edition, which was strictly an Ardh Kumbh. Officially, only the 2025 edition met the full 144-year criteria in the modern era. For the standard rotation happening within your own lifetime, see the full upcoming calendar instead.
Frequently asked
Questions about Maha Kumbh dates
At Prayagraj, from 13 January to 26 February 2025 — 45 days, with six designated bathing dates including Mauni Amavasya on 29 January, its single largest day.
Not for well over a century — around 2169, following the traditional 144-year cycle. Nearer-term Prayagraj events, including 2030, are standard Ardh and Purna Kumbhs, not Maha Kumbhs.
No. Strictly, "Maha Kumbh" refers only to the rare 144-year occurrence. Media coverage sometimes uses it loosely for any large Prayagraj Kumbh, which can cause confusion.
Related reading
See the exact Maha Kumbh Start Date and Maha Kumbh End Date in detail, or read the full explainer on what makes a Kumbh "Maha".