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Bathing Dates

The date for Kumbha mela is determined by examining the position of the Sun, the Moon and the planet, Jupiter astrologically. The Maha Kumbh mela is held at Prayag in the month of Magha or January/February. Spiritually, it is believed that the bath on the new moon day is most effective. The kumbh mela in Haridwar is held in the month of Phalgun and Chaitra or February/March/April. In Ujjain, the mela is held in the month of Vaishakha or May and in Nashik during the month of Shravana or July.

Kumbh Mela Bathing ceremony takes place at the following places:
At Prayag (Allahabad) in the state of Uttar Pradesh where the three holy rivers namely Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meet called Sangam (confluence). At Haridwar in the state of Uttarakhand from where river Ganga enters into the plains from the Himalayas. Nashik in Maharashtra on the banks of river Godavari. At Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh on the banks of river Ksipra. Kumbh Mela will be held in Haridwar in 2010 from 14th January – 30 April. Apart from this, the dates for the 2010 Kumbh Mela.

Main Bathing Dates:

14 January 2010 (Thursday) - Makar Sankranti - First Snan

This is the first of the big bathing days. According to Hindu Astrology, on this day the Sun enters the constellation Capricorn. This day is celebrated all over India.

15 January 2010 (Friday) - Mauni Amavasya and Surya Grahan (Solar Eclipse) - Second Snan 

This is "New Moon of the Saints." For the holy men and women this is a main bathing day where they participated in gilded and naked processions. It is also a day when new members to various holy monastic orders receive their first initiation.

20 January 2010 (Wednesday) - Vasant Panchami - Third Snan

This is the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month and is the beginning of spring in North India. Traditionally people wear yellow on this day. It is day when people prayed to the Gods for a good bumper harvest.

30 January 2010 - (Saturday) Magh Purnima - Fourth Snan




This is the full moon in the month of Magha (January - February). Winter is a memory and the moon shines over the two holy rivers.

12 to 13 February 2007 (Friday) - Mahashivratri - Pratham Shahi Snan - First Royal Bath -

This is the Great Night of Shiva, the Naked One, from whose dreadlocks the Ganges flows. He married Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas on this day. Shiva has many followers, none more so than the naked Naga sadhus who live life in imitation of him.

15 March 2010 (Monday)- Somvati Amavasya - Dvitya Shahi Snan - Royal Bath for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects

The no moon day on a Monday is such an auspicious event that the river Ganga, the divine cosmos, along with all the revered pilgrimages on this earth, shower exceptional spiritual benediction on anyone who performs worship, japa, or meditation on this auspicious day. The significance of this day is equivalent to the auspiciousness of a Solar Eclipse. Taking a holy dip, performance of charitable acts and Shraddha (giving oblations in the name of manes) on this day is considered perennial & everlasting. Observance of vow of silence followed by a holy dip in the sacred waters bestows the person with the meritorious effect equivalent to that of giving a thousand cows in donation.
24 March 2010 (Wednesday) - Ram Navami - Fifth Snan
A famous Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. It is auspicious to undertake a fast on this day in the name of Rama. Many devotees fast for nine days, beginning on Ugadi (first day of Indian year) to Rama Navami. The objective of the fast is to seek perfection as a human being.
30 March 2010 (Tuesday) - Chaitra Purnima Snan: Royal Bath for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects

The full moon day of Chaitra month is particularly sacred to the Chitra Guptas, the recording angels of the Hindu pantheon. A special worship is offered to these celestial representatives of the god of death, and an offering of spiced rice is prepared and later distributed as prasad or holy sacrament. A fire worship is done at the close of the ritualistic worship. This is also the birthday of the monkey God Hanuman, who symbolizes strength, unparalleled devotion, and selfless service. A fast is often observed on this date, and mantras to Hanuman are chanted.

14 April 2010 (Wednesday) - Amavasya of Krishna Paksh (dark fortnight) of month of Baisakh (Vaisakha or Jyeshtha) - Pramukh Shahi Snan:

MAIN ROYAL BATH for six Akharas of Vaishnav and Udasi sects

The no moon day in the month of Vaisakh is the festival of Vata Savitri Vratam. It is a fast day observed by all Hindu married women for their husbands' good health and longevity. In early morning, women take purificatory bath and wear new clothes. Savitri is worshipped and fruits are offered to the goddess. In the afternoon, they bow to their respective husbands and elderly people.

28 April 2010 (Wednesday) - Vaishakha (Shakh) Purnima - Snan

The full moon day, last auspicious bathing date of the Kumbh festival, marks the three major events in Lord Buddha's life: His birth, enlightenment and death. Observance of Satyanarayana Swamy Vratam and Vishnu Pujas are done on this day.

Dates of bathing ceremonies and Venues of forth coming melas are as follows:
*Haridwar (Kumbha mela) in the year 2010 (March-April), April 14th is the main bathing date.
Prayag (Purna Kumbha Mela) in the year 2013 (January 27-February 25), 10th is the main bathing date.

*Nashik (Ardh Kumbha Mela) in 2015 (August 15 to September 13), Sep 13 is the main date for bathing ceremony.

*Ujjain (Ardh Kumbh Mela) in 2016 (April 22 to May 21), May 21 is the main bathing date.