The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in a cycle at four holy sites: Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. Each city hosts the festival once every 12 years, based on the rotational cycle. These four locations are believed, according to Hindu mythology, to be where drops of Amrita, the nectar of immortality, fell to earth.

At the heart of the Kumbh Mela is the ritual of bathing in sacred rivers. It is believed that by doing so, devotees can wash away their sins and purify their souls. During this period, numerous religious discourses, ceremonies, and gatherings of pilgrims take place, with saints and spiritual leaders bestowing blessings upon the faithful.

This massive festival has a history spanning thousands of years and is regarded as one of the most significant religious and cultural events.

I have attended this festival four times, and each experience has been overwhelming and deeply memorable.