In the heart of Bharat, a breathtaking spectacle unfolds as millions converge at the Triveni Sangam. This extraordinary gathering transcends mere history; it is a vibrant celebration of collective consciousness, where faith and cosmic wonder intertwine. Beneath the surface of ancient rituals lies a rich tapestry of science and spirituality, revealing profound insights into astronomical cycles, fluid dynamics, and the psychology of crowds that would leave modern thinkers in awe. The meticulous calculations that determine the Kumbh Mela dates showcase an astute understanding of celestial movements, while the water at this sacred confluence boasts remarkable antibacterial properties. Moreover, tantalizing theories hint at electromagnetic dimensions linked to the Kumbh, creating a mesmerizing intersection where empirical knowledge dances with spiritual truth, inviting all who partake to explore the deeper mysteries of existence.
Today, as we witness AI-powered crowd management systems working alongside age-old customs at the Kumbh 2025, we’re not just observing a festival. We’re watching the beautiful marriage of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology. Join me on this extraordinary journey where we’ll try to look at the science hidden in the orthopraxy, where we’ll discover how our ancestors might have been the first contributors to fields we now call phages, mathematical astronomy, environmental science, crowd dynamics, and collective behavior studies. The 2025 Mahakumbh showcases cutting-edge technological interventions. AI-powered systems include 2,700 CCTV cameras (328 AI-enabled), underwater and tethered drones for surveillance, and a multilingual KumbhSah’AI’yak app providing real-time navigation and cultural insights. The entire temporary city has been integrated into Google Maps, with innovative features like AI-equipped trash vans and 2,000 illuminated drones narrating cultural stories. But this scientific dimension to the Kumbh is not a modern interpolation but a reflection of a much older scientific premise that underlies elements of the Kumbh.
The origins of the Kumbh Mela are steeped in Hindu lore, revolving around the cosmic churning of the ocean (samudramanthan) by the Devas and Asuras. This event produced the kumbh, or pitcher, containing amrita, the elixir of immortality. To safeguard the pitcher from the Asuras, Jayant, the son of Indra, carried it across the heavens. During his journey, four drops of the elixir fell on Earth at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, sanctifying these places as sites for the Kumbh Mela. Historically, King Harshavardhan (590–647 CE) popularized mega-gatherings at Prayagraj, which was documented by the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang. There is no extant historical record of a 12-year cycle Kumbh Mela at Prayag before the 19th century.
Early sources like the Matsya Purana, Chaitanya Charitamrita, and Tulsidas’ Ramcharit manas refer to an annual Magh Mela, not a 12-year cycle. Magh Mela is referenced in the Mahabharata and Puranas.The Magh Mela is a part of the river festivals called Pushkaram that follow the transition of Jupiter into various zodiac signs. These river festivals –rotate over the year to ghats and temples along the major rivers of India, each revered as a sacred river goddess.According to the Jataka Parijata, a Brahmin named Pushkara was granted the ability to live in water and purify holy rivers after severe penance. At Bṛhaspati’s (Jupiter’s) request, he entered each of the 12 sacred rivers, one-by-one, corresponding to its transitions between zodiac signs.
Going back to our roots, there are specific passages from the Vedic literature that talk of Kumbh, albeit in a tangential manner. For instance, Shloka Kanda 4 Sukta 34 Mantra 7 from the Atharva Veda says,
चतुरःकुम्भांश्चतुर्धाददामिक्षीरेणपूर्णाँउदकेनदध्ना।
एतास्त्वाधाराउपयन्तुसर्वाःस्वर्गेलोकेमधुमत्पिन्वमानाउपत्वातिष्ठन्तुपुष्करिणीःसमन्ताः॥
Which talks of giving four pots filled with nectar, complete with milk and water, and that may all these streams flow towards you, and may they remain in the heavenly realms, filled with sweetness, and may the sacred waters stand around you. The words Kumbh and Pushkar here are one of the earliest and most notable associations of the two terms that have been discussed previously through the link of Magh Melas. In Atharva Veda Kanda 19 Sukta 53 Mantra 3,
पूर्णःकुम्भोऽधिकालआहितस्तंवैपश्यामोबहुधानुसन्तः।
सइमाविश्वाभुवनानिप्रत्यङ्कालंतमाहुःपरमेविऽओमन्॥
which talks of how the universe is a full, complete and perfect Kumbh settled on Kala – time, which extends up to the ultimate, supreme transcendent heavens. An important part of Kumbh is the diversity of thought inherent in its composition. The Kumbh Mela is a rare occasion when sadhus from diverse sects and akharas (monastic orders) like Naga Sadhus, Dashanami Sanyasis, Ramanandi Sadhus, Nirmala Sadhus and Parivrajakas assemble, showcasing unique rituals, practices, and philosophies. Many Akharas bring ancient manuscripts and rare texts to the Kumbh Mela, offering insights into spiritual and philosophical knowledge that are otherwise inaccessible. The reason for this diversity to be present, even with disparate philosophical traditions is due to a rigorous premise underlying the event: the science of the celestial bodies, besides the central spiritual aspect of the occasion.
The Kumbh’s timing reveals a sophisticated understanding of celestial mechanics. Its schedule is intricately linked to astronomical phenomena, particularly Jupiter’s movement through specific zodiac signs. This demonstrates an advanced comprehension of astronomical cycles that challenges simplistic views of ancient scientific knowledge.The event follows precise celestial configurations: when Jupiter is in Taurus and the Sun in Capricorn, the Kumbh is held in Prayagraj.
Different astronomical alignments determine the locations of Kumbh Melas in Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, showcasing a complex astronomical calculation method. Jyotiṣa refers to the Vedanga relating to calendrics, which help define the astronomical math and observation necessary to ascertain the proper time for certain Vedic rituals. Astrology, as practiced today, was not quite a major part of the Vedic literature. The cosmos was perceived as an ordered system governed by mathematical principles. Padma Vibhushan Prof. Jayant Narlikar posited that Indians had a strong tradition of astronomy but the concept of astrology as practiced today was not a part of ancient Indian science. He believed it came with Alexander the Great’s invasion.
While Western astrology is often seen as pseudoscientific due to its lack of empirical support, Indian astrology (Jyotiṣa) is grounded in a rich cultural and philosophical context, incorporating astronomical observations that lend it a different level of legitimacy. Sidereal Jyotiṣa calculates zodiac signs based on the observable sky, accounting for Earth’s axial precession using ayanamsas (corrective systems). Tropical astrology, as followed elsewhere, defines zodiac signs starting from 0° Aries at the March equinox, based on the Northern Hemisphere’s seasonal cycle, ignoring axial precession. The sidereal and tropical zodiacs, which were aligned 2,000 years ago, have drifted apart due to Earth’s axial precession.
As of 2020, sidereal signs (e.g., Sri Yukteswarayanamsa) lag about 23° behind tropical signs, altering the sun sign dates for individuals. Sidereal astrology sometimes uses unequal divisions of the ecliptic based on actual constellation sizes and includes constellations beyond the traditional 12-zodiac framework. In contrast, tropical astrology divides the ecliptic into twelve equal 30° sections.The lunar calendar plays an important role in determining the important days of the Kumbh Mela. For instance, this year, there would be ShahiSnanon 13 January, when the MahakumbhMela began, coincided with the Paush Purnima, 29 January would be Paush Amavasya, 12 February would be Maghi Purnima.
Scientific explorations have delved into potential cosmic influences on human physiology. For instance, studies examining solar and geomagnetic activities have revealed intriguing correlations with cardiovascular events, such as with the Stoupel-Martfel-Rotenberg study. The Schumann Resonances – electromagnetic frequencies in the Earth-ionosphere cavity – demonstrate potential interactions with human brain wave patterns. While the impact of solar and geomagnetic activity on human physiology has had a history of scientific research, the impact of the activities of Jupiter on human physiology needs more work, to be able to comment meaningfully on the same.
Generally, there are specific key challenges in understanding the mechanisms behind the biological effects of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF, 3 Hz–3 kHz) non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMFs), such as with the biological effects appearing under conditions where the energy transfer from the electromagnetic fields to the biological system is much lower than what is typically required for classical physical or physiochemical interactions. But Schumann Resonances do fall within the 5-60 Hz frequency range. Ionospheric disturbances, such as those caused by Solar Proton Events (SPEs) or solar X-ray bursts, influence Schumann Resonance frequencies. SPEs decrease the first mode frequency by ~0.15 Hz, while intense solar X-ray bursts can increase frequency and reduce resonance bandwidth by ~0.2 Hz.
On a more physiological front, contrary to assumptions about environmental impact, scientific studies have revealed fascinating ecological dynamics. Research during the 2019 Kumbh found that the Ganges River demonstrated remarkable self-purification capabilities. Despite massive human influx, the river’s ecosystem quickly stabilized after mass bathing.Early 20th-century bacteriologist Hankin discovered unique antibacterial properties in the Ganges water, potentially related to bacteriophages – viruses that destroy bacteria. He described the putative actions of the bacteriophage (literally, bacteria-devouring viruses), reporting an ‘antiseptic substance present in the waters of the Ganges and Jamuna rivers’.
Bacteriological examination of these sacred river waters showed that there were very few microbes when compared to the major European rivers. Hankin’s observations have been regarded by some as the earliest descriptions of bacteriophage activity, nearly 50 years before their discovery and contested elaborations between 1915-1917 as bacterial viruses by Frederick Twort and Félix d’Herelle. Subsequent studies by confirmed a stable microbial community in the river, with some bacteria showing potential for bio-remediation.Specifically, bacteria like Bacillus cereus and B. subtilis were found capable of converting hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium, suggesting potential environmental remediation capabilities. More recently, the nitrogen transformation and reduction abilities in confluence hydrodynamic zones (CHZs), due to microbial species like Terrimonas and Sphingobacterium, have added an interesting scientific dimension to the chemical aspects of the waters at the Sangam.
The Mahakumbh offers unique insights into crowd management and collective human behavior. The traditional akhara system, comprising monastic orders, has historically managed millions of pilgrims through a sophisticated self-organizational mechanism. This reflects a deep-rooted social philosophy emphasizing interconnectedness and collective responsibility.The self-organization observed during the Kumbh Mela resonates deeply with the Dharmic premise of consciousness, which emphasizes interconnectedness and collective responsibility. In Hindu philosophy, consciousness is viewed as an integral aspect of existence that transcends individual identity, aligning with the idea that every participant at the Kumbh Mela contributes to a larger spiritual experience. This collective consciousness fosters a sense of unity among diverse groups of people, allowing them to work together harmoniously for a common purpose.
Hindu society’s remarkable resilience is further highlighted by its ability to adapt and thrive amidst various challenges throughout history. From natural disasters to socio-political upheavals, the Kumbh Mela has persisted as a symbol of faith and community strength. The self-organizational dynamics within Hindu society not only facilitate effective crowd management but also reflect an enduring commitment to preserving cultural heritage and spiritual practices. This resilience is rooted in an understanding of Dharma, of righteous duty, which encourages individuals to act in ways that benefit both themselves and their communities. As such, the Kumbh Mela stands as a testament to how Hindu society continues to navigate complexities while fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose among its members.
As millions converge at the Triveni Sangam – the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers – they participate in an event that transcends individual belief. It becomes a collective exploration of human potential, cultural resilience, and the intricate connections between humanity, nature, and the cosmos. The 2025 Mahakumbh stands as a testament to India’s enduring capacity to premise traditions on metaphysics, philosophy and science, offering a profound glimpse into a sophisticated understanding of celestial dynamics, physiological nuances and collective human experience that continues to inspire and intrigue the world, even today.
(The Author is Assistant Professor, Amrita Vishwavidya peetham, Delhi NCR. Adjunct Faculty at National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru. PhD (Cambridge) & Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard, IISc and TIFR. Feedback: [email protected])
