Prayagraj, India : As the grand Mahakumbh Mela begins in Prayagraj this week, scholars from across the globe are preparing to delve into the religious and cultural significance of this revered Hindu gathering. The festival, which runs until February 26, draws millions of devotees for ritual baths at the Sangam — the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. However, this year, a select group of scholars will be focused on an intellectual exploration of the Mela’s deeper historical and spiritual layers.
A meeting of prominent scholars, primarily from the US and Europe, will be held from January 25 to 27 to explore the essence of the Mahakumbh Mela. Twelve experts from the Society of Pilgrimage Studies, an international association dedicated to the study of pilgrimage practices across various religions, have confirmed their participation.
BP Dubey, the general secretary of the Society, Said about the academic purpose behind this gathering. “The Society of Pilgrimage Studies brings together scholars who focus on sacred places and pilgrimage traditions worldwide,” he explained. “Members come from the US, Canada, Europe, and even China. However, Southeast Asian scholars have generally not shown much interest in the study of sacred places, even though that region is home to many temples.”
Dubey, who is also a retired professor of Ancient History, Culture, and Archaeology at Allahabad University, emphasized that in India, sacred traditions often follow folk practices that may not be fully backed by shastric (scriptural) evidence. “While some shastric references to the Mahakumbh exist, much of its significance is rooted in folk traditions,” he noted.
He explained that Prayagraj holds a special place in Hindu tradition, and its sanctity can be traced to the Rig Veda, the oldest of the Hindu scriptures. “Prayagraj is regarded as the ‘king’ of all sacred Hindu places. It is the only site mentioned in the Rig Veda as sacred, where rituals such as bathing at the Sangam are said to guarantee spiritual liberation,” Dubey said. “Prayagraj, with its ancient history, continues to be the focal point of religious activities and pilgrimages.”
The ritual of bathing in the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna — especially during the Mahakumbh Mela — is believed to cleanse one’s sins and offer a path to heaven. According to Dubey, there are also traditional beliefs that those who die during a pilgrimage to the Mela achieve immortality, a notion that persisted until the British banned the practice of ‘religious suicide’ in 1840.
In an interesting historical revelation, Dubey stated that Prayagraj is not only the oldest sacred site in Hinduism but also the oldest sacred place among any world religion. He further explained that the region has a rich agricultural history, with evidence of rice cultivation dating back to the 7th millennium BCE near the Sangam. “Rice cultivation in this area is of very high quality, and the region’s connection to the Ganges and Yamuna rivers is vital to its spiritual identity,” Dubey said.
The Mahakumbh Mela’s connection to water is also significant, according to Dubey. In the Rig Veda, water worship is central, and the tradition continues today in Prayagraj, where pilgrims revere the sacred rivers. “It is an act of nature worship,” he added, noting that similar water-based rituals are also observed in Haridwar, another important site for Kumbh Melas.
Scholars at the upcoming meeting are expected to explore a range of questions. One key topic of discussion will be why millions of devotees continue to brave the harsh winter to bathe in the Sangam. Many of the Society’s scholars are actively engaged in fieldwork across India, studying the cultural, spiritual, and historical aspects of pilgrimage sites.
For these scholars, participating in the Mahakumbh Mela offers more than just academic study; it is an opportunity to immerse themselves in the lived experiences of the pilgrims. “Many of our members travel to India at their own expense and stay in the Society’s camps as pilgrims themselves,” Dubey revealed.
As the Mahakumbh Mela unfolds over the next month, it will not only be a religious event for millions but also an academic occasion for those seeking to understand the profound traditions that have shaped this sacred gathering for centuries. Through their studies, these scholars hope to deepen the global understanding of the spiritual heritage that draws people from all corners of the world to Prayagraj’s holy shores.