One of the largest religious gatherings in the world, the Mahakumbh is an event of great spiritual energy, love, and connection with the divine. From ordinary people to great saints, everybody comes to Kumbh to cleanse themselves and start afresh. It is a mix of faith, devotion, and energies so positive, that it can be overwhelming for many.
And one of the most important rituals of Mahakumbh is the Shahi snan, also known as the Amrit snan. Millions of people take a dip in the Triveni Sangam on this day as the energies of the space are said to be at their peak.
What is Shahi snan?
The term Shahi snan simply translates to ‘royal bath’, and if we say Amrit snan, it becomes ‘pure/elixir bath’. The Shahi snans are believed to be the most important days during the Mahakumbh and during these days the saints and Naga Sadhus take the first dip in the Triveni Sangam. The Shahi snan is about purification of sins, a connection with the divine, and a means to attain moksha.
And in the Mahakumbh of 2025, 2 more Shahi snan dates are to come. One is on February 12, 2025, the day of Maghi Purnima, and the next one on February 26, the last day of Kumbh, and the day of Mahashivratri.
The Shahi snan of Maghi Purnima
Maghi Purnima is one of the most powerful full moons in the Hindu calendar, and as this year it coincides with the Mahakumbh, devotees are gearing up to take part in the Shahi snan of Maghi Purnima.
On Maghi Purnima, devotees will take a dip in the Triveni Sangam, usually in the Brahma Muhurat, and it is believed that doing so washes away past sins and leads to spiritual progress. Many devotees also keep a fast on this day, eating only Sattvik foods all day, and only break their fast after the evening puja and offering water to the moon.
Shahi snan on Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri, the great night of Shiva, is on February 26 this year and it is also the day when Mahakumbh will end. And so, the last Shahi snan of Mahakumbh is on Feb 26, Mahashivratri. Even on this day, the Naga Sadhus and the saints and ascetics will be given the first chance to take a dip in the holy Triveni Sangam, post which it will be open for the devotees.
The last Shahi snan will also see a huge rush of people, not just to Kumbh, but also to temples of Lord Shiva. Early Morning Bath in the Holy River: Devotees take a dip in the sacred waters, believing it will purify their soul and please Lord Shiva.
On Mahashivratri, Shiva devotees meditate and chant all night long and stay awake focusing on the energies of Lord Shiva.
The importance of these Shahi snans
Since time immemorial, the Shahi snan has been a highlight of Kumbh. Although Kumbh melas lasts for about a month or more, there are only 4-6 dates of Shahi snan, the days when the energy of the place is so pure and pristine, and it is believed that Gods too descend to Earth to take a dip in the Triveni Sangam.
And thus, the Shahi snan days become the ones when bathing in the sacred rivers is believed to cleanse the soul of sins and past karmas, and help people start their life with a clean slate. The sheer number of saints and devotees at the Kumbh creates an intense positive energy, making it the best day for meditation and change, and who can forget the blessings of the very saints who have given everything up.
