A journey through the sacred Kumbh Mela
Tultul De Niyogi
(tultulniyogi@niyogibooksindia.com)
Niyogi Books takes pride in announcing the launch of their new title on the occasion of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, The Divine Kumbh: Echoes of Eternity—Ganga, Shipra, Godavari, and Sangam, authored by Deepak Kumar Sen. A unique, holistic perspective on this ancient festival, highlighting the rich mythological origins, rituals, spiritual significance, and modern-day changes, the book offers a profound understanding of the Mela’s historical and contemporary spiritual impact, charting its transformation into a global phenomenon, drawing millions of devotees and tourists around the world. It takes the readers on a profound journey through the sacred Kumbh Melas of Prayag, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain, the Prayag Kumbh being one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world. The book chronicles the deep spiritual significance and sheer magnitude of the event, offering unique insights and perspectives.
An important aspect of this book is that all five contributors—Sen, Sarvottamji M. Jaipuriar, Dr. Rajesh Tripathi, Abhimanyu Sharma, and Sanjay Gupta—hail from Prayagraj, which holds a special connection to the Kumbh Mela itself.
When asked about the ambition and scope of the book, Deepak Kumar Sen says, ‘The idea for this book first came to me while covering the Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela in 2001. After that, I began working on this book in 2016, and now the only thing that comes to my mind for this endeavour is: a dream come true. The chance to witness and capture the essence of the Kumbh Mela has been a life-changing experience for me. I have attempted to make a record of the personal and the communal engagement of devotees and tourists, with the hope that readers get to experience the singular sense of spirituality, human connection, and the quest for salvation through this volume. Religiosity is not the monolith that people assume. The akharas, the saints and monks, and the community are all evolving and maturing with the spirit of inclusion and catching up with the times. I am grateful to have been able to cover all this and more in The Divine Kumbh.’
On publishing the book, Trisha De Niyogi, COO & Director, Niyogi Books, says, ‘At the joyous occasion of the 2025 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, Niyogi Books is proud to add to our growing titles on the spectacular divine celebration with the release of Deepak Kumar Sen’s The Divine Kumbh. Integrating rigorous research with intensive, stunning photographic practice, this volume will take you on an intimate journey into the heart of the Kumbh Mela—from the inner lives of Naga sadhus to the Mela’s historical and contemporary spiritual impact. For pious seekers of moksha to the globetrotter’s quenching, this will be a valuable read for spirituality and travel enthusiasts alike.’
About the Book
The Divine Kumbh offers a rare and immersive exploration of the Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, where millions of pilgrims converge on India’s sacred rivers every 12 years. This beautifully illustrated book delves into the ancient mythology, vibrant rituals, and profound spirituality that define the event.
From the Naga sadhus’ radical quest for salvation to the rich cultural traditions of the akharas, The Divine Kumbh takes readers on a journey through heritage, devotion, and purification. It highlights the timeless essence of the Mela while also exploring the modern-day innovations that have transformed the event into a global phenomenon.
With historical insights and vivid imagery, it offers an in-depth look at one of humanity’s most significant spiritual traditions, inviting readers to experience the magic and power of the Kumbh Mela firsthand. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the heart of India’s spiritual soul.
About the Author
Deepak Kumar Sen is a senior journalist and professional photographer. He has worked with major media organizations like The Press Trust of India, Dainik Jagran, and Sahara Samay, and is a regular columnist for various reputed newspapers. He holds a master’s degree in history, a master’s in Hindi literature, and a postgraduate diploma in journalism and mass communication.
He produced a documentary titled Kumbh Ka Vigyan (The Science behind Kumbh) for Vigyan Prasar, which was featured at the National Science Film Festival and Competition in 2015. Currently, Deepak is involved in new media and digital media as a mediapreneur. His hometown is Allahabad (now known as Prayagraj), with his home situated near the Sangam.
Contents
n Introduction: Explains the vastness of Kumbh Mela, held in four major cities, chosen based on astronomical factors and planetary alignments.
n History of Kumbh: While the origins of Kumbh Mela remain uncertain due to the lack of written records, this chapter explores various myths, travel accounts, and historical perspectives, including those from Xuanzang, Megasthenes, and Mark Twain.
n The Akhara: Describes the Akharas, organised communities of ascetic monks (sadhus) who gather at the Kumbh for spiritual practices.
n The Naga: Focuses on the Naga sadhus, the most iconic and photographed members of the Kumbh Mela, known for their unique ascetic practices and distinct appearance.
n Moksha and Kumbh: Explores the concept of Moksha (liberation) in various Indian philosophies and its connection to the spiritual significance of the Kumbh Mela.
n The Tilak: Highlights the role of the Tilak, a sacred mark worn by Naga saints and Kumbh worshippers, symbolising spiritual identity and purpose.
n The Shahi Snan: Describes the grand bathing ritual, where revered saints and all 13 Akharas come together at the holy riverbanks for a sacred dip.
n The Pilgrims: Covers the influx of millions of pilgrims who come to bathe in the sacred waters of the four holy rivers—Ganga, Shipra, Godavari, and Sangam—seeking spiritual renewal.
n City of Tent: Chronicles the temporary yet vibrant city of tents that emerges in the Kumbh Mela cities, creating a bustling spiritual hub during the event.
10. New Era of Kumbh: Examines how Kumbh Mela has evolved in the 21st century, with modernization and new technologies blending with traditional practices.
OTHER TITLES ON KUMBH MELA
About the Publisher
An internationally acclaimed publishing house, Niyogi Books, established in 2004, has more than 800 titles today. It not only specialises in textual content but also strives to give equal importance to visuals. Niyogi Books purveys a wide range of content on art, architecture, history, culture, spirituality, memoirs, and every aspect that connects with our rich heritage. Under its umbrella, it has fiction and non-fiction that cover books on social science, cookery, and self-help, as well as English translations of modern classics from different Indian languages. Niyogi Books, after having launched four imprints: Olive Turtle (English fiction), Thornbird (English translation), Paper Missile (English non-fiction), and Bahuvachan (Hindi translation: fiction & non-fiction), has launched its newest imprint, Perky Parrot, with an aim to provide fun reads for children and young adults. Also, it has co-published a number of critically acclaimed books with reputed institutions like the British Library, Rittberg Museum Zurich, IGNCA, National Gallery of Modern Art, Ministry of Culture (Govt. of India), National Manuscript Mission, Sahitya Akademi, among many others.