Understand the Kumbh

Kumbh Mela Glossary: Words You Will Hear, With Hindi

KumbhMela.info Editorial TeamChecked on Sun 18 Oct 2026

This glossary explains the words you will hear at a Kumbh, from Amrit Snan and akhara to tithi and pind daan, each with its Hindi form. Search for a word, or pick a letter to jump to it.

EvergreenChecked on Sun 18 Oct 2026

The meanings do not change from year to year. Dates in the entries come from our Kumbh calendar and keep their own status, such as Provisional.

Each meaning is short and plain, and comes from the sources listed on this page. Religious meanings are given as tradition. Where an entry gives a 2027 date, it is the date announced so far, with its status.

All terms

Acharya Mahamandaleshwar आचार्य महामंडलेश्वर

The head of an akhara, according to the Prayagraj Mela Authority's Hindi page. The akhara's president is called the Shri Mahant.¹

In the akhara processions to the river, the Acharya, the Mahamandaleshwars and the Shri Mahants ride on chariots.

Akhara अखाड़ा Also: Akhada

An organised order of sadhus with its own lineage, leaders and camps. Government Kumbh material lists 13 established akharas.^2,3,4

At the Kumbh the word does not mean a wrestling ground. The 13 come from four traditions: Dashnami (Shaiva), Vaishnava Bairagi, Udasin and Nirmal.

Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad अखिल भारतीय अखाड़ा परिषद Also: Akhara Parishad

The council of the akharas. It was formed to keep harmony among them and, with the mela officials, fixes the dates, times and order of their processions.^1,5,6,7

Uttarakhand discussed the Haridwar 2027 Amrit Snan dates with the Parishad. Its president said in 2025 that Shahi Snan and Peshwai had been renamed Amrit Snan and Chhavni Pravesh.

Amavasya अमावस्या Also: New moon

The new moon, which closes the dark half (krishna paksha) of the lunar month. Several big bathing days fall on an amavasya, such as Mauni Amavasya.^8,9,10

The Haridwar Amrit Snan on Monday 8 March 2027 falls on Phalguna Amavasya (Provisional).

Amrit अमृत Also: Amrita, Nectar

The divine nectar of the Kumbh story. According to tradition, drops of amrit fell at Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik and Ujjain, which is why the Kumbh is held there.^11,12,13,14

Accounts differ on who carried the pot of amrit and how the drops fell. Official sites tell the story as religious tradition.

Amrit Snan अमृत स्नान Also: Shahi Snan, Rajsi Snan

The main bathing days of a Kumbh. The akharas bathe first, in an order set with the mela administration. It used to be called Shahi Snan.^{15,7,16,1,10,17}

Haridwar 2027 has four: 6 March, 8 March, 15 March and 14 April (Provisional). Nashik and Trimbakeshwar have three: 2 August, 31 August and 11 and 12 September 2027.

Ardh Kumbh अर्ध कुंभ Also: Half Kumbh

Half Kumbh: usually the gathering about six years into the twelve-year cycle, held at Haridwar and Prayagraj.^18,13,19,20

PTI reports call Haridwar 2027 an Ardh Kumbh, while the official website's home page calls it Haridwar Kumbh 2027. The next Ardh Kumbh at Prayagraj is expected in 2031.

Asthi visarjan अस्थि विसर्जन

Immersing the ashes of a family member in a holy river. Families bring ashes to Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar and to Ramkund in Nashik.^21,22,23

In Haridwar the Asthi Pravah Ghat at Har Ki Pauri is the main place, and families often offer pind daan and tarpan after the immersion.

Bairagi बैरागी Also: Vairagi

A Vaishnava renunciant. At the Kumbh, the three Vaishnava Ani akharas, Nirmohi, Digambar and Nirvani, are known as the Bairagi akharas.^24,4,16,25

The official Haridwar directory lists all three at Bairagi Camp in Kankhal.

Basant Panchami बसंत पंचमी Also: Vasant Panchami, Saraswati Puja

The fifth day of the bright half of Magha, marking the arrival of spring. It honours Saraswati, goddess of knowledge, and kalpvasis wear yellow.^26,27,9,10

In 2027 it falls on Thursday 11 February, a bathing day at Haridwar (Provisional) and at the Magh Mela in Prayagraj.

Bhandara भंडारा

A free community meal for pilgrims and sadhus, organised by religious and social groups. Bhandaras have long been part of the Kumbh.^28,29

News photographs from the 2024 Magh Mela show Dandi sadhus at a bhandara.

Brahmakund ब्रह्मकुंड Also: Brahma Kund

A part of Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar where the evening Ganga aarti is held. Tradition holds that drops of amrit fell here after the Samudra Manthan.^30,31

The Haridwar district links Brahmakund with the amrit story and with Kumbh bathing.

Brihaspati बृहस्पति Also: Guru, Jupiter

The planet Jupiter. It takes about twelve years to pass through the zodiac, and in tradition its sign decides which place holds the Kumbh, and roughly when.^32,33,34,13

Haridwar is linked with Jupiter in Kumbha (Aquarius), Prayagraj with Vrishabha (Taurus), and Nashik and Ujjain with Simha (Leo). Each place adds its own conditions for the Sun and Moon.

Chaitra Purnima चैत्र पूर्णिमा

The full moon of Chaitra. At Haridwar 2027 it is the last of the eleven bathing days, on Tuesday 20 April (Provisional).^10,35

The official website lists it as a bathing day, not an Amrit Snan. It closes the main snan calendar of the Haridwar Kumbh.

Chhavni छावनी Also: Chhavni Pravesh, Cantonment

An akhara's camp at the mela, literally a cantonment. The akhara's formal entry into its camp, once called the Peshwai, is now called Chhavni Pravesh.^7,36

Daan दान Also: Dana, Charity

A gift given as a religious duty, to the poor, to sadhus or to priests. Pilgrims give food, clothes, money and more, each as they are able.^37,38,39

The Prayagraj Mela Authority names gau daan (a cow), vastra daan (clothes), dravya daan (money) and swarn daan (gold). It says Makar Sankranti begins the giving at the mela.

Dakshin Ganga दक्षिण गंगा Also: Ganga of the South

A name for the Godavari. The Nashik district calls it the sacred river of the south, hence Dakshin Ganga.^40,41

The Godavari rises on the Brahmagiri hills at Trimbakeshwar and flows through Nashik, the two centres of the Simhastha.

Darshan दर्शन

Seeing a deity, or a person held holy, as an act of worship. Taking darshan is the heart of a temple visit.^42,43,44

Temples set their own darshan hours. Some, such as Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, also offer a quicker darshan ticket on the temple's official website.

Dashnami दशनामी Also: Dashanami, Dashnam

The order of sannyasis linked by tradition with Adi Shankaracharya, named for its ten names. Seven of the thirteen Kumbh akharas belong to it.^45,46,3

The seven are Juna, Niranjani, Mahanirvani, Atal, Anand, Avahan and Agni.

Deep daan दीपदान Also: Deepdaan

Floating a small lit lamp on the river as an offering. At the Kumbh it is often a wheat-flour lamp with oil and a cotton wick, set on a leaf.^37,47,48

The Haridwar Kumbh website lists a diya placed on the river among the everyday rituals of the Kumbh.

Dev Doli देव डोली Also: Doli

A palanquin in which a deity is carried in procession. Hundreds of dev dolis from Garhwal and Kumaon are expected at the Haridwar Kumbh to bathe in the Ganga.^49,50,51,10

The official website lists Dev Doli, Monday 15 March 2027, as the third Amrit Snan of Haridwar 2027 (Provisional). In 2021 the dolis were bathed at Brahmakund.

Dhwajarohan ध्वजारोहण Also: Flag hoisting

Flag hoisting. The Simhastha at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar opens with it, with flags raised at Ramkund and Kushavarta at the same moment.^17,52,53

For the 2027 Simhastha it is on Saturday 31 October 2026, reported for 12:02 PM.

Dubki डुबकी Also: Holy dip

A dip under the water during a holy bath. Hindi news reports describe pilgrims at Har Ki Pauri taking an aastha ki dubki, a dip of faith.^54,55

The Haridwar Kumbh rules ask pilgrims to take the dip only in the designated bathing areas.

Ganga aarti गंगा आरती

Worship of the river Ganga with lamps, bells and chants, held every morning and evening at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar.^56,48,57

Shri Ganga Sabha has organised the Har Ki Pauri aarti since Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya started it in 1916.

Ganga Sabha गंगा सभा Also: Shri Ganga Sabha

The body that manages Har Ki Pauri and its ghats in Haridwar, and organises the daily Ganga aarti there.^58,56,59

Ghat घाट

A bathing place on a riverbank, usually with steps down to the water. Haridwar has about 84 ghats on the Ganga; Har Ki Pauri is the best known.^60,61,62

Godavari गोदावरी

The river of the Nashik Kumbh. It rises at Brahmagiri near Trimbakeshwar and flows east through the old centre of Nashik.^41,63,64,40

According to tradition, the sage Gautama's penance led Shiva to release the river. It is also called the Dakshin Ganga.

Har Ki Pauri हर की पैड़ी Also: Har ki Paidi

The main ghat of Haridwar and the centre of the Haridwar Kumbh. The state tourism board translates the name as the footsteps of the gods.^62,65,10,30

All eleven Haridwar 2027 bathing days are listed at Har Ki Pauri. Brahmakund, where the evening aarti is held, is part of it.

Jyotirlinga ज्योतिर्लिंग

One of the twelve celebrated shrines of Shiva. Two are in Kumbh towns: Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain and Trimbakeshwar near Nashik.^66,67,64,68

The Mahakal temple tells the Shiva Purana story in which Shiva appeared as a radiant light (jyoti) and stayed there as the Jyotirlinga.

Kalpvas कल्पवास Also: Kalpavas

A month of simple living by the river, kept by many pilgrims during the Magh Mela at Prayagraj.^69,70,37,71

By tradition it runs from Paush Purnima to Magh Purnima, with daily bathing, prayer, satsang and one meal a day.

Kalpvasi कल्पवासी Also: Kalpavasi

A pilgrim who keeps kalpvas, living in a tent near the Sangam for the month with vows of simplicity, celibacy and regular prayer.^69,37,72

Kalpvasis traditionally wear clean white or yellow clothes. Many hold a Satyanarayan Katha and give daan to their tirth purohit.

Kamandal कमंडल Also: Kamandalu

A sadhu's water pot. Sadhus usually carry only a few things: a staff, a kamandal, an alms bowl and prayer beads.²⁴

Katha कथा

A sacred story told or recited for listeners. Kalpvasis traditionally hold a Satyanarayan Katha during their month by the river.^72,73

Temples kept halls for it: the 1883 Nasik gazetteer describes a hall at the Kalaram temple used for kathas and Purana readings.

Kinnar Akhara किन्नर अखाड़ा

A religious order of transgender persons. It took part in the Kumbh for the first time at Prayagraj in 2019 and joined the Amrit Snan in 2025.^74,75,76,4

Government material treats it separately from the thirteen established akharas.

Kumbh कुंभ Also: Kumbha, Kumbh Mela

Sanskrit for a pitcher or pot, the pot of amrit in the Kumbh story. It is also the name of the great bathing gathering held at four places.^77,78,79

Kumbh is also the zodiac sign Aquarius. An authority may simply call an event Kumbh.

Kumbha rashi कुंभ राशि Also: Aquarius

The zodiac sign Aquarius. In tradition, the Kumbh is held at Haridwar when Jupiter is in Kumbha and the Sun is in Mesha (Aries).^32,34

Kushavarta कुशावर्त Also: Kushavart, Kushavart Tirtha

The sacred kund at Trimbakeshwar where the Godavari is said to re-emerge after vanishing at Brahmagiri. It is a main Simhastha bathing centre.^80,81,17,65

Haridwar also has a Kushavarta Ghat near Har Ki Pauri, known for rites for ancestors such as pind daan.

Langar लंगर

A charity kitchen offering food to pilgrims. At the 2019 Kumbh, local residents ran langars for devotees on the way to the Sangam.⁸²

Lost and found centre खोया-पाया केंद्र Also: Khoya-Paya Kendra

A help centre where lost people and belongings are registered and reunited with their families. In Hindi it is a Khoya-Paya Kendra.^83,84,85

The official Haridwar Kumbh 2027 website lists nine centres, including Pant Dweep, Bairagi Camp and Daksh Dweep.

Magh Mela माघ मेला

The yearly gathering at the Sangam in Prayagraj in the month of Magha. Every twelfth year it becomes the Kumbh.^71,86

Magh Mela 2027 runs from Friday 15 January to Saturday 6 March 2027, according to a Government of India tourism listing.

Magh Purnima माघ पूर्णिमा Also: Maghi Purnima

The full moon of Magha, a bathing day of prayer and charity. It ends the month of kalpvas at Prayagraj.^35,69,10,87

In 2027 it falls on Saturday 20 February, a bathing day at Haridwar (Provisional) and at the Magh Mela. The tithi at sunrise that day is still Chaturdashi.

Maha Kumbh महाकुंभ Also: Great Kumbh

Great Kumbh: the central government's name for Prayagraj's great gathering, as in Maha Kumbh 2025, held from 13 January to 26 February 2025.^63,79,71

Some government material links it to a 144-year pattern; earlier, the name was used for the twelve-year Prayagraj gathering.

Mahakal महाकाल Also: Mahakaleshwar

Shiva as Mahakaleshwar, the Jyotirlinga of Ujjain. The temple and Ram Ghat are central to the Ujjain Simhastha.^67,68,88

The temple describes it as the only south-facing Jyotirlinga. The Bhasma Aarti is held there every day at dawn.

Mahamandaleshwar महामंडलेश्वर

A senior religious leader of an akhara. Mahamandaleshwars give the guru mantra to new members and ride on chariots in the akhara processions.^1,5,36

The Prayagraj Mela Authority's English page says they lead the akharas; its Hindi page names the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar as the head.

Mahant महंत Also: Shri Mahant

A title for the head or a senior figure of a temple, monastery or akhara. In an akhara, the president is called the Shri Mahant.^89,1,90

Guru, mahant and akhara are related words, but they do not mean the same thing.

Mahashivratri महाशिवरात्रि Also: Maha Shivaratri

The great night of Shiva, kept with a holy dip and night-long prayer. At Haridwar 2027 it is the first Amrit Snan, on Saturday 6 March (Provisional).^35,10,39,91

At Prayagraj it marks the last bath of the kalpvasis and of the Magh Mela.

Makar Sankranti मकर संक्रांति Also: Uttarayan

The day the Sun enters Makara (Capricorn), the start of Uttarayan. It is the first major bathing day of the Haridwar Kumbh, on Thursday 14 January 2027 (Provisional).^35,10,39,86

At Prayagraj it is a Magh Mela bathing day, expected on Friday 15 January 2027. Tradition says it begins the season of giving at the mela.

Mauni Amavasya मौनी अमावस्या Also: Maghi Amavasya

The new moon of Magha, from maun, silence. Sadhus, saints and kalpvasis keep a vow of silence; it is traditionally the main bathing day of the Magh Mela and usually draws the most pilgrims; follow police and mela instructions on the day.^92,9,10

In 2027 it falls on Saturday 6 February, a bathing day at Haridwar (Provisional) and at the Magh Mela. Tradition links it with the sage Rishabh Dev breaking a vow of silence.

Mela Adhikari मेला अधिकारी Also: Mela Officer

The senior officer a state appoints to run a Kumbh. At Prayagraj the Mela Officer is the chief executive of the Mela Authority.^93,94,95

For Haridwar 2027 the official website lists the Mela Adhikari with an Upper Mela Adhikari and two Deputy Mela Adhikaris.

Mela Authority मेला प्राधिकरण Also: Kumbh Mela Authority

The body a state government sets up to run a Kumbh, such as the Prayagraj Mela Authority or the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority.^93,96,97

The Prayagraj authority was set up by law in 2017 and is chaired by the Divisional Commissioner. Nashik's is chaired by the Commissioner, Nashik Division.

Mesh Sankranti मेष संक्रांति Also: Mesha Sankranti, Baisakhi

The day the Sun enters Mesha (Aries), which falls with Baisakhi. At Haridwar 2027 it is the main (Pramukh) Amrit Snan, on Wednesday 14 April (Provisional).^35,10,98

Muhurat मुहूर्त Also: Muhurta

An auspicious time window, worked out with astrologers from the panchang. Akharas fix the times of their flag raising, processions and baths by muhurat.^99,100,49

The Juna Akhara set the muhurats for its Haridwar 2027 events after consulting astrologers and saints. The dev doli dates are also to be fixed by muhurat.

Mundan मुंडन Also: Chudakarana

A child's first ritual haircut, one of the Hindu samskaras. Families often have it done by a holy river, as at the ghats of Haridwar.^{101,102,103,104}

At Prayagraj, head-shaving is also part of the pilgrim's rites with the tirth purohit, before the bath and pind daan.

Naga sadhu नागा साधु Also: Naga sannyasi

An initiated ascetic linked especially with the Shaiva Dashnami akharas. Naga sadhus are among the most visible figures in the akhara processions and Amrit Snans.^4,2,5,16

Each Naga sadhu belongs to an akhara. In the processions they ride horses or walk, some holding tridents.

Nagar Pradakshina नगर प्रदक्षिणा

A procession around the city. At Nashik it comes before the Simhastha's main bathing season, on Thursday 29 July 2027.^105,17,106

Pradakshina means walking round a sacred image or place. The route and timing for 2027 are not announced.

Nav Samvatsar नव संवत्सर Also: Hindu New Year, Chaitra Shukla Pratipada

The Hindu new year, on the first day of the bright half of Chaitra. At Haridwar 2027 it is a bathing day, on Wednesday 7 April (Provisional).^35,10,107

Other regions mark the same new year as Ugadi, Gudi Padwa or Cheti Chand.

Nirmal निर्मल Also: Nirmal Akhara, Nirmala

A separate akhara linked with the Nirmala tradition. The Shri Panchayati Nirmal Akhara is one of the thirteen Kumbh akharas and is not part of the Udasin group.^3,25

In Haridwar the official directory lists it at Kankhal Chowk Bazar.

Panchang पंचांग

The Hindu almanac. It gives the tithi, the lunar month, and sunrise and sunset for a place and date, and is used to fix festivals and muhurats.^87,99

Each tithi on this site is the one at sunrise, from the Tirth panchang.

Panchavati पंचवटी Also: Panchvati

An area of Nashik on the left bank of the Godavari, home to Ramkund. The name means five banyan trees.^108,109

By tradition, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent much of their exile at Panchavati.

Panda पंडा

A hereditary pilgrimage priest. Haridwar's pandas keep family registers, called bahi, recording the visits of families over many generations.^{110,111,23,112}

Pandas are organised by state, district and village, so families find theirs by giving their place of origin. Many sit at Har Ki Pauri.

Paush Purnima पौष पूर्णिमा Also: Pausha Purnima

The full moon of Pausha. At Prayagraj it opens the Magh Mela season and begins the month of kalpvas.^39,69,91

In 2027 it is expected on Friday 22 January at the Magh Mela.

Peshwai पेशवाई Also: Chhavni Pravesh, Praveshai

The grand procession in which an akhara enters the mela, its leaders on chariots, horses and elephants. The Akhara Parishad now calls it Chhavni Pravesh.^113,114,7,1

The Prayagraj Mela Authority says Peshwai is a local form of Praveshai, entry. It goes from the akhara's ashram to its camp in the mela area.

Pind daan पिंडदान Also: Pinda daan

An offering of rice or flour balls (pinds) for ancestors, made with a priest. Kushavarta Ghat in Haridwar is known for it.^{115,37,65,104}

It is also part of the rites at the Sangam in Prayagraj, after the bath.

Pontoon bridge पीपा पुल Also: Pipa pul

A temporary bridge laid on pontoons across the river for the mela. Maha Kumbh 2025 had 30 of them, built with 3,308 pontoons.^116,117,118

The Magh Mela 2026 had seven pontoon bridges.

Prasad प्रसाद Also: Prasadam

Food, flowers or other offerings made to a deity and then given back to devotees as a blessing.¹¹⁹

The Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain gives devotees the prasad, flowers and bel leaves offered to Mahakal, free of cost, at a counter near the exit.

Pravachan प्रवचन

A religious talk or discourse by a saint or teacher. Kumbh 2019 had a Pravachan Pandal, a pavilion built to host such spiritual events.^120,121,122

Akhara and ashram camps hold discourses and satsangs through the mela.

Prayag प्रयाग Also: Prayagraj, Tirtharaj

The traditional name of the confluence city, now officially Prayagraj. The Uttar Pradesh government renamed Allahabad as Prayagraj in October 2018.^{13,123,124,71}

The Sangam here is called Tirtharaj, the king of tirthas. Prayagraj holds the Magh Mela every year and the Kumbh every twelfth year.

Purna Kumbh पूर्ण कुंभ Also: Full Kumbh, Poorna Kumbh

Full Kumbh: the gathering that comes back to a place about every twelve years. It is used mostly in explanations, not always as a formal title.^18,14

Purnima पूर्णिमा Also: Full moon

The full moon, which closes the bright half (shukla paksha) of the lunar month. Magh Purnima and Chaitra Purnima are Kumbh bathing days.^8,10,87

Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh end the lunar month on the purnima; Maharashtra ends it on the amavasya. So one day can carry two month names.

Ram Ghat राम घाट Also: Ramghat

A central bathing ghat on the Shipra in Ujjain, at the heart of the Ujjain Simhastha.^125,88,94

Haridwar also has a Ram Ghat near Har Ki Pauri, by the Kumbh mela office.

Ram Navami राम नवमी

The birthday of Lord Rama, on the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra. At Haridwar 2027 it is a bathing day, on Thursday 15 April (Provisional).^35,10,126

At the Kumbh it is kept with temple worship, bhajans and a holy dip. In Nashik the Kalaram temple marks it with prayers and processions.

Ramkund रामकुंड Also: Ram Kund

The holiest bathing tank on the Godavari in Nashik, believed to be where Rama bathed. It is the Nashik centre of the Simhastha.^22,17,52

The flag hoisting is held here, and families immerse ashes in its Asthivilaya kund.

Rashi राशि Also: Zodiac sign

A sign of the zodiac; there are twelve. In tradition, the Kumbh's place and timing depend on the rashi of Jupiter and the Sun.^32,34,8

The signs that come up in Kumbh timing are Mesha (Aries), Vrishabha (Taurus), Simha (Leo), Makara (Capricorn) and Kumbha (Aquarius).

Rudraksha रुद्राक्ष

The seed of a tree, strung as prayer beads. A rudraksha mala is usually worn by devotees of Shiva, to help in reciting mantras.¹²⁷

By tradition, the first rudraksha tree grew from a tear shed by Shiva.

Sadhu साधु

A religious ascetic or holy person. Sadhus may live in monasteries, wander, or live alone; Shaivas prefer the word sannyasi and Vaishnavas vairagi.^24,89

Not every sadhu belongs to an akhara: Haridwar's ascetics include independent renouncers too.

Samudra Manthan समुद्र मंथन Also: Churning of the ocean

The churning of the ocean by the devas and asuras to win amrit, with Mount Mandara as the pivot and the serpent Vasuki as the churning rope.^128,12

In the Kumbh story, drops of amrit fell at Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik and Ujjain, the four Kumbh places.

Sangam संगम Also: Triveni Sangam

A meeting of rivers. At Prayagraj the Sangam is where the Ganga and Yamuna meet, with the unseen Saraswati in tradition.^129,124

The brown Ganga and the green Yamuna can be told apart where they meet. Boats to the Sangam leave from the ghat near the fort.

Sankranti संक्रांति

The day the Sun moves into a new zodiac sign, twelve times a year. Two are Kumbh bathing days: Makar Sankranti and Mesh Sankranti.^8,10

Sannyasi संन्यासी Also: Sanyasi

An ascetic who has renounced the world and family life. The word is used especially for Shaiva ascetics of the Dashnami order.^46,24,40

At Nashik the Shaiva (Sannyasi) and Udasin akharas bathe at Trimbakeshwar, and the Vaishnava akharas at Nashik.

Saraswati सरस्वती

The third river of the Sangam in tradition. It is unseen and is believed to flow underground, joining the Ganga and Yamuna at Prayagraj.^124,130,27

Saraswati is also the goddess of knowledge, honoured on Basant Panchami. The Saraswati Koop, a well in the Prayagraj fort, is said to be the river's source.

Satsang सत्संग

Associating with truth: gathering to hear saints and scholars speak, recite and teach. Akhara and ashram camps hold satsangs through the mela.^121,57,70

Satsang is part of kalpvas, along with prayer, bathing and study.

Sector सेक्टर

A numbered part of the mela ground, with its own officials. The official Haridwar 2027 map divides the mela into 32 sectors in five zones.^131,132,85

Har Ki Pauri is sector 22 on that map. Lost and found centres carry their sector number, such as Saptsarovar-18.

Shahi Snan शाही स्नान Also: Rajyogi Snan, Royal bath

The older name for the Amrit Snan, the akharas' ceremonial bath in procession. Some official pages still use it.^15,7,133

The Haridwar 2027 website describes the Shahi Snan as the bath that begins with the 13 akharas' processions, and the Amrit Snan as a dip at the most auspicious times.

Shipra शिप्रा Also: Kshipra

The river of Ujjain, on whose ghats the Simhastha is held. It is also written Kshipra.^{63,134,13,135}

For 2028 Madhya Pradesh is building about 29 km of new ghats along the river.

Shraddha श्राद्ध Also: Shraadh

Rites for ancestors performed with a priest, with offerings such as pind daan. Families perform them at Haridwar, Prayagraj and Trimbakeshwar.^37,21,47,136

Simha rashi सिंह राशि Also: Leo

The zodiac sign Leo. In tradition, when Jupiter is in Simha the Kumbh is held at Nashik and Ujjain, which is why both are called Simhastha.^34,13

Simhastha सिंहस्थ Also: Simhasth

The name of the Kumbh at Ujjain and at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar, from Simha (Leo), the sign linked with Jupiter at that time.^{13,137,17,138}

Nashik and Trimbakeshwar's Amrit Snans are on 2 August, 31 August and 11 and 12 September 2027. Ujjain's Simhastha is planned for 27 March to 27 May 2028.

Snan स्नान Also: Holy bath

A ritual bath in a holy river. Besides the big bathing days, pilgrims take a general snan on any day of the mela.^133,139,55

The Haridwar Kumbh rules ask bathers not to use soap or detergent in the river.

Tent city टेंट सिटी Also: Tent colony

A camp of ready-made tents for visitors near the mela ground, from basic to luxury. At Prayagraj in 2025 they were run by approved vendors.^140,141,142

Ujjain plans a tent city for Simhastha 2028. Fake websites have offered tent bookings before, so check the official mela website first.

Tilak तिलक Also: Tilaka

A sacred mark, usually on the forehead, that shows the wearer's sect. Shaivas wear three horizontal lines; Vaishnavas, vertical lines shaped like a U.^143,144

At Maha Kumbh 2025, tilak artists worked in the market areas near the Sangam.

Tirth तीर्थ Also: Tirtha

A holy place of pilgrimage, often by water. Haridwar has its Panch Tirth, five holy places, and the Sangam is called Tirtharaj, the king of tirthas.^145,124,80

Tirth purohit तीर्थ पुरोहित Also: Teerth purohit

A priest at a pilgrimage place who conducts rites for visiting families, from the bath and pind daan to recording the visit.^104,23,146

Haridwar has about 2,500 tirth purohits, who keep family registers called bahi. At Prayagraj they are the Prayagwals.

Tithi तिथि Also: Lunar day

A lunar day in the Hindu calendar. Bathing days follow the tithi, which is why their dates change every year.^8,87

A tithi lasts about 21.5 to 26 hours, so it does not match the calendar day. This site gives the tithi at sunrise.

Trimbakeshwar त्र्यंबकेश्वर Also: Trimbak

A temple town about 28 km from Nashik, near the source of the Godavari, with one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is the second centre of the Nashik Simhastha.^64,17,40

The Shaiva and Udasin akharas bathe here at Kushavarta, while the Vaishnava akharas bathe at Nashik.

Trishul त्रिशूल Also: Trident

A trident, a sign of Shiva and his devotees. Naga sadhus hold tridents high in the akhara processions to the Amrit Snan.^16,143,147

A pair of tridents with damrus also appears on the Haridwar Kumbh 2027 logo.

Triveni त्रिवेणी

A meeting of three rivers. At Prayagraj, the Triveni Sangam joins the Ganga, the Yamuna and, in tradition, the unseen Saraswati.^130,71,148

Ujjain also has a Triveni Ghat on the Shipra, by the Navagraha temple.

Udasin उदासीन Also: Udaseen, Udasi

An ascetic tradition whose founder, by tradition, is Shri Chandra Dev, son of Guru Nanak. Its followers mainly worship Om. Two Kumbh akharas are Udasin.^1,5,3

They are the Shri Panchayati Bada Udasin and Naya Udasin akharas, two separate bodies.

Yatra यात्रा

A journey, especially a pilgrimage, such as the Kanwar Yatra to fetch Ganga water from Haridwar. A procession is also a yatra: the akharas' march is a shobha yatra.^149,26

Sources for these terms (149)

Questions people ask

What is the difference between Amrit Snan and Shahi Snan?

They are two names for the same thing: the main Kumbh bathing days, when the akharas bathe first, in procession. The president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad said in 2025 that Shahi Snan had been renamed Amrit Snan, and the Nashik and Haridwar announcements use the new name. Some official pages still say Shahi Snan, so always check the date against the authority’s list. Read more on the change of name.

What is the difference between a tithi and a date?

A date follows the everyday solar calendar. A tithi is a lunar day, and lasts about 21.5 to 26 hours. Bathing days are fixed by tithi, so they fall on a different date each year. We give the tithi at sunrise, from the Tirth panchang. See every bathing day with its tithi in the Kumbh calendar.

Are Ardh Kumbh, Purna Kumbh and Maha Kumbh different events?

They are names for gatherings at different points in the cycle. Ardh Kumbh usually means the gathering about six years into the twelve-year cycle, at Haridwar and Prayagraj. Purna Kumbh is the full gathering that comes back about every twelve years. Maha Kumbh is the central government’s name for Prayagraj’s great gathering, as in 2025. The names are not used the same way everywhere, so go by the name the authority uses. How the four names differ.