Kumbh Mela 2025

10 Jan 2025

The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu pilgrimage held on a 12-year cycle at four different locations across India. It is one of the largest religious pilgrimages in the world, attended by millions of pilgrims who gather to bathe in the sacred waters of the holy rivers.

In 2025, Maha Kumbh Mela will be celebrated at Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh between 13 January to 26 February with multiple bathing dates planned throughout.

• Further information is available from the Government of Uttar Pradesh: Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

Advice for travellers

The potential risks to your health will vary depending on your pre-existing general health and what activities you are planning whilst abroad. If you are planning on travelling to India for Kumbh Mela, you should consider the following advice.

Before Travel

Review the latest FCDO foreign travel advice for India including entry requirements, safety and security risks.

Ensure you have valid travel insurance in place.

Review the India country page for information on health risks and information on disease outbreaks in the alerts section.

• If you think you may need travel health advice and/or vaccines or boosters before travel, you should arrange for a travel health risk assessment.

Check that you are up to date with vaccines for day to day life in the UK. In the past large gatherings of people in close contact, have been responsible for the transmission of highly infectious diseases such as measles and flu.

• Make sure you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. For information on what to do if you're unsure if you've had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, see NHS inform (Scotland) or NHS UK (rest of UK).
• Consider having the flu and COVID-19 vaccine (if eligible) before travel, particularly if you are more at risk of severe illness

Pilgrimages can be very physically demanding, and all pilgrims need to aim to be as physically fit as possible.

• You may benefit from having a general health check-up with your GP or specialist to ensure you are in good enough health and any known health conditions are stable before you go.

If you take prescribed medication, make sure you have enough supply to cover the duration of your trip, and a little extra supply to allow for unforeseen delays.

• keep all medicines in their original packaging in your hand luggage along with a printed copy of your prescription
• ask your GP for a letter listing your current medicines for immigration purposes

During Travel

Mosquitoes can spread disease that include dengue and zika virus: know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites.

Always take care with respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene, and take safe food and water precautions at all times to reduce your risk of illness.

Accidents and injuries, such as slips, falls, stampedes and road accidents are common due to millions of pilgrims gathering at the same location. To protect yourself, consider:

• taking extra care when walking alongside busy roads, or close to heavy traffic
• wearing comfortable, protective footwear when walking to avoid injuring your feet. This is particularly important if you have diabetes or any condition causing poor circulation.
• carrying a simple first aid kit can help to self-manage minor injuries and basic health problems.

The temperatures in India can exceed 30’C.

• Make sure you keep well hydrated and seek shade during the hottest hours of the day, and consider wearing a hat / head covering.
• Practice sun safety to help reduce the risk of sunstroke and other heat disorders in warm weather, as well as skin cancer.

For further information on disease risks, other health risks and vaccination advice, see the India country page.

After Travel

If you become unwell in the weeks/months after travel, particularly with a high temperature (fever), flu-like symptoms, confusion, rash and/or diarrhoea, you should seek prompt medical advice, and ensure you mention your travel history to the health professional.