Mana: After a gap of 12 years, the Pushkar Kumbh has returned to Mana village, located 3 km from Badrinath Dham, marking a grand occasion for spiritual seekers and Vaishnav devotees. The event, held at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Saraswati rivers, follows an ancient tradition tied to planetary movements—taking place only when Jupiter enters Gemini.
The formal inauguration of the Pushkar Kumbh Mela began on Wednesday with prayers and rituals at Keshav Prayag, a revered site near Mana village. A large number of devotees from South India have arrived to participate in this sacred festival. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in an official announcement, described Pushkar Kumbh as a “living example of the divinity of our eternal traditions”, welcoming pilgrims from across India and beyond.
श्री बदरीनाथ धाम के निकट भारत के प्रथम गांव माणा में 12 वर्षों बाद पुष्कर कुंभ का शुभारंभ हो चुका है। अलकनंदा और सरस्वती नदी के पावन संगम पर आस्था का यह महापर्व, हमारी सनातन परंपराओं की दिव्यता का जीवंत उदाहरण है।
पुष्कर कुंभ हेतु देवभूमि आए हुए समस्त श्रद्धालुओं का इस पुण्य… pic.twitter.com/EPw7nOdyT5
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) May 15, 2025
The spiritual significance of Pushkar Kumbh
Pushkar Kumbh is not like the larger Kumbh Melas held in Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik—it is unique to Vaishnav traditions and celebrated on different rivers every year, aligning with Jupiter’s zodiac transition.
This year, Mana village was chosen as the sacred venue because of its deep association with Hindu mythology. It is believed that Maharishi Ved Vyas composed the Mahabharata during his penance at Keshav Prayag, and great South Indian Acharyas like Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya received knowledge from Maa Saraswati on the banks of the Saraswati River.
These spiritual connections make Pushkar Kumbh an essential event for Vaishnav devotees, especially those from South India, who have arrived in large numbers to preserve their centuries-old tradition.
Vaishnav community’s participation and sacred rituals
The Vaishnav community plays a pivotal role in this Kumbh, which explains its strong ties to the Badrinath region. The festival commenced with morning prayers at Keshav Prayag, led by religious leaders and saints from across India.
According to Mana village administrator Pitambar Molfa, more spiritual programs will be organized from Thursday onward, enriching the experience for devotees attending the event. Former Dharmadhikari of Badrinath, Bhuvan Chandra Uniyal, noted that Pushkar Kumbh follows the South Indian tradition, wherein it is celebrated every time Jupiter transitions into a new zodiac sign. Since the event rotates among different rivers, it only returns to a specific location every 12 years.
Uttarakhand’s Pushkar Kumbh gains government support
Recognizing the festival’s significance, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has extended full support to its successful organization. His presence at Almora’s Dol Ashram earlier this week reaffirmed his commitment to spiritual tourism and temple development under the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission. With Uttarakhand emerging as a major spiritual hub, Pushkar Kumbh adds to the state’s growing reputation for religious tourism, attracting pilgrims, saints, and seekers from across India and beyond.
A sacred festival strengthening Uttarakhand’s spiritual heritage
The return of Pushkar Kumbh after 12 years marks a significant event in Uttarakhand’s religious calendar. As devotees gather at Mana village to participate in sacred rituals and celebrate Hindu traditions, the festival highlights India’s deep-rooted spiritual heritage.
