Mela record
Past and upcoming melas at the Sangam
Prayagraj holds a mela on the Sangam sands every single year, and at longer intervals the Ardh Kumbh, Kumbh and Maha Kumbh. This page records the editions that have already taken place and is honest about which future dates are not yet official.
About the pictures
Illustrations, not photographs of a particular year
The images on this page are artwork made for this site to show what the Mela looks like. They are not press photographs of any specific edition. If you have your own photographs from a past mela and would like them credited here, they can be added through the site manager.
Every year
Magh Mela
Held annually at the Triveni Sangam through the Hindu month of Magh, roughly January to February. Kalpvasis live on the sands for the full month.
About every 6 years
Ardh Kumbh
The half-Kumbh, falling between two Kumbh melas at Prayagraj. In 2019 the state government presented that edition publicly as 'Kumbh'.
About every 12 years here
Kumbh Mela
The Kumbh rotates between Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Timing depends on the positions of the sun, moon and Jupiter.
The longest interval in the cycle
Maha Kumbh
The largest gathering of all at Prayagraj, associated with a 144-year reckoning in tradition; 2001 and 2025 were both presented as Maha Kumbh.
Year by year
Melas already held
- 2025
Maha Kumbh
13 January – 26 February 2025
The most recent Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj, from Paush Purnima to Mahashivratri, with amrit snan days in between. Widely reported as the largest gathering held at the Sangam so far.
- 2019
Kumbh (traditionally Ardh Kumbh)
15 January – 4 March 2019
Held from Makar Sankranti to Mahashivratri. The Mela area was expanded and the event was named 'Kumbh' by the state government, though it falls at the Ardh Kumbh point in the cycle.
- 2013
Kumbh Mela
14 January – 10 March 2013
A full Kumbh at Prayagraj, with Mauni Amavasya in early February as the busiest bathing day.
- 2007
Ardh Kumbh
Dates need confirmationJanuary – February 2007
The half-Kumbh between 2001 and 2013. Exact opening and closing dates should be taken from the record of that year's Mela notice.
- 2001
Maha Kumbh
Dates need confirmationJanuary – February 2001
The Maha Kumbh at the turn of the century, one of the largest gatherings recorded at the Sangam before 2025.
- Every year
Magh Mela
Magh month, usually January – February
In the years between Kumbh editions, the annual Magh Mela is held on the same ground, with camps, akhara sectors and daily bathing. Its dates move each year with the Hindu calendar.
Dates are given as reported for those editions. For any official purpose, check the Mela notice issued by the Prayagraj Mela Authority for that year.
Ahead
Upcoming melas
Magh Mela
Next Magh month (January – February)Held every year. The bathing-day dates and the Mela layout are announced by the Mela administration a few months in advance.
Ardh Kumbh
Expected around 2031Following the six-year pattern after 2025. This is an expectation from the cycle, not an announced date.
Kumbh Mela
Expected around 2037Following the twelve-year pattern at Prayagraj after 2025. Again, the cycle only suggests the year.
We do not publish exact future bathing dates. They are fixed by the Hindu calendar and confirmed by the state and Mela administration, and this page will be updated once an official notice exists.
Read more
For what happens during a mela — Kalpvas, camps, facilities, transport and safety — see the dedicated guides.