Mahakumbh: Naked ash-smeared ascetics to lead India bathing spectacle

The origin of the festival is rooted in the mythological story about a fight between the gods and demons over a Kumbh (a pitcher) of nectar that emerged during the churching of the ocean.

As the two sides fought over the pot of elixir, a few drops spilled over and fell in four cities – Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik.

The Kumbh mela is organised in all the four cities, but the biggest festivals are always held in Prayagraj.

The bathing dates and auspicious times are decided by astrologers, based on the alignment of specific planets and constellations.

Hindu seer Mahant Ravindra Puri says the rare planetary alignments at present make this year’s festival “extra special” and “a Maha [great] Kumbh”.

Mahant Puri will be leading tens of thousands of holy men from his akhara to Tuesday morning’s bath.

“We believe that during Kumbh Mela, the waters of the sacred river will be imbued with nectar,” he says.

“And those who have faith, Ganga maiyya [the river goddess] will bless them with whatever they want, whatever they need,” he adds.