The Kumbh Mela is the world's largest spiritual gathering, deeply rooted in Hindu tradition and mythology. It is held every twelve years in rotation across four sacred cities—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik—each situated along the banks of holy rivers. Millions of saints, sadhus, devotees, and seekers from across the world come together to take a ritual dip in the sacred waters, believing it leads to spiritual liberation. The festival is not just a religious event but a grand confluence of faith, philosophy, culture and tradition.
In 2025, Prayagraj is hosting the Maha Kumbh, an even rarer and more significant occasion that takes place once every 144 years. From January 13 to February 26, the city has transformed into a spiritual epicenter, drawing millions of pilgrims.
Food at the Kumbh Mela is more than just nourishment—it is a spiritual offering, a symbol of discipline, and an act of selfless service. Guided by Holy Waters Journey, we explored the profound relationship between food and faith through three key aspects: the kitchens of the Akhadas, the humble meals of the Kalpavasis and the grand scale of the Bhandaras.
The Akhadas are monastic orders of saints and ascetics. The sadhus residing in these Akhadas follow strict spiritual and dietary practices, preparing sattvik food—simple, vegetarian meals without onion and garlic—that align with their way of life. Food is considered sacred, and the act of cooking and sharing it is an extension of their spiritual practice.
Kalpavasis are pilgrims who renounce all worldly comforts for the duration of the Kumbh, choosing to live in temporary shelters by the river. Their days are spent in prayer, meditation and bathing in the holy waters, and their food habits reflect this austere lifestyle. They prepare their own meals, often consisting of simple grains, lentils, and fruits, consuming only what is necessary to sustain themselves while dedicating their time to spiritual pursuits.
The Bhandaras, or community kitchens, are one of the most striking aspects of the Kumbh Mela, where the spirit of service comes alive on an unimaginable scale. Organized by religious institutions, charitable groups and individual devotees, these kitchens provide free meals to thousands of pilgrims, saints, and the underprivileged. The scale of these operations is staggering. Feeding the masses at the Kumbh is considered an act of immense spiritual merit, and countless volunteers dedicate themselves to this service, reflecting the deep-rooted tradition of hospitality and charity in Indian culture.
The sheer magnitude of feeding millions at the Maha Kumbh left us awe-struck—a powerful testament to faith, devotion, and communal harmony.
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Design and filmed by Rahul Singh
Texts by Swetaleena Nayak