Pushkar Kumbh Mela is being held after 12 years at Keshav Prayag, located at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Saraswati rivers in Mana village, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. The festival began in 2025 and will continue until May 26, 2025.
Key Details
- Location: Keshav Prayag, Mana village, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand
- Rivers: Confluence of Alaknanda and Saraswati
- Frequency: Held once every 12 years
- Occasion: When Jupiter enters the Gemini sign (Mithun Rashi)
- Type of Kumbh: Region-specific Pushkar Kumbh, distinct from the four major Kumbh Melas (Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, Ujjain)
Spiritual Significance
- Associated Traditions: Vaishnavite tradition, primarily attended by devotees from South India
- Key Ritual: Holy dip (snan) at the confluence to purify the soul and attain moksha (liberation)
- Unique Aspects:
- Intimate scale, unlike the massive gatherings at major Kumbh Melas
- Strengthens North-South cultural and spiritual unity
Mythological and Historical Importance
Maharishi Ved Vyas:
- Believed to have composed the Mahabharata here while meditating
Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya:
- South Indian saint-scholars
- Believed to have received divine knowledge from Goddess Saraswati at this location
Recent Developments
- Increased pilgrimage activity to Badrinath Dham and Mana village
- Highlighted by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) for its cultural and spiritual relevance
- Festival promotes religious tourism and spiritual awareness in the Himalayan region