Introduction
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Maha Kumbh Mela, a ‘Maha Yagya of Unity’. It is a once in a lifetime event; it’s not just a religious gathering, this is the largest congregation in the world, with about 400 million people visiting, much larger than the population of the United States. The Kumbh is unlike conventional festivals in that it symbolises the harmony created by a coming together of state, society , and faith with saints, akharas (ascetic sects), and seekers uniting to create a great human experience. The Kumbh Mela bloomed into an international festival of peace and communal harmony, illustrating Joseph Nye’s soft power, by projecting India’s rich cultural heritage and ancient civilisational history on an international stage. Joseph Nye coined the term ‘soft power’ in the 1990s as the ability of a nation to influence behaviour abroad and the preferences of others without coercion, but by bringing them in through the power of attraction. Unlike hard power, which operates through military dominance and economic coercion, soft power emanates from cultural appeal, political values, and perceived legitimacy in foreign policy.
Historically, India, as a civilisational state, possessed soft power through its cultural, intellectual and spiritual heritage. The ancient spread of Buddhism, the global appeal of yoga, and enduring Indian philosophies serve as examples of India’s attraction and inspiration rooted in soft power long before Joseph Nye’s formalisation of the concept. This legacy continues to be reinforced in the Panchamrit framework of India’s foreign policy in the 21st century through the principle of ‘Sanskriti Evam Sabhyata’ (linkages of culture and civilisation) reflected in India’s strategic initiatives for cultural exchange and philosophical involvement to further its role as a cultural superpower. India’s 2025 Mahakumbh celebration in Prayagraj is rooted in ancient traditions and highlightd India’s ability to showcase its civilisational legacy and spiritual ethos The immense cultural significance of Kumbh Mela is demonstrated by UNESCO’s recognition of the Kumbh Mela as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO validates India’s civilisational ethos by acknowledging the Kumbh as a living repository of astronomical, ritual, and mythological knowledge. The event reflects India’s tradition of raising collective identity and creating shared wisdom.
Mahakumbh- A Tale of Mythology and Astronomy
The source of the Mahakumbh Mela, lies in the ancient tale of the Samudra Manthan (churning of the cosmic ocean), wherein gods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) tried to extract the divine nectar of immortality (Amrit). According to the legend, drops of Amrit were spilled at 4 sacred places (Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik) during the fierce struggle, and the Kumbh Mela is hosted on a periodic basis in these four locations. Apart from mythology, Mahakumbh has a strong astronomical relevance. The event occurs in sync with the rare planetary configurations of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon, representing cosmic balance. The celestial timing is an indicator of India’s ancient knowledge of astronomy and its association with spiritual practices. India’s civilisational genius is as artistically shown in the Mahakumbh in its sacred and esoteric dimensions, combining metaphysical wisdom with scientific inquiry. As a living symbol of India’s spiritual history, it has attracted millions of devotees and spiritual seekers from across the world. India proclaims its role as a Vishwaguru by perpetuating these cosmic narratives and demonstrating that ancient knowledge, spiritual wellness, and cultural harmony are alive.
The Mahakumbh as a Symbol of India’s Civilisational Soft Power
The Mahakumbh, as the world’s largest religious gathering, is a living manifestation of India’s spiritual and cultural vitality and a Symbol of India’s Civilisational soft power. The spectacle is not only a religious festival because it shows that India can attract the world’s attention. This belief in unity in diversity is manifested by the coming together of millions from different regions and denominations in peaceful coexistence. It is a living example of the model of coexistence, a lesson to this fragmented world. It is a global spiritual magnet that draws seekers and thought leaders to India’s traditions of mindfulness, meditation, and ancient wellness practices. The Mahakumbh serves as a vital resource for the country’s cultural diplomacy to engage with foreign dignitaries by inviting them, to create cross-cultural ties, and to uphold the guiding principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (one family that is the world). Although the event is economically a powerhouse, it serves as a tourism catalyst and helps to revitalise and rejuvenate local economies. India’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in Mahakumbh, in that its very existence is related to the sanctity of rivers Ganga, Yumuna, and the invisible Saraswati. The Mahakumbh is an occasion to present India’s age-old wisdom and its narrative of inclusiveness to the world. As nations seek to outshine each other in traditional power metrics, the Mahakumbh provides India with the power to mesmerise mankind with its civilisational wealth and cultural narratives, fostering and expanding its influence abraod. India still stands to be an embodiment of its legacy as a civilisational state through cultural events such as the Kumbh Mela, which kindles soft power into a formidable asset in international relations.
Harnessing the Potential of Mahakumbh: Integrating Indic Knowledge Systems in Global Dialogues
Although the Mahakumbh is endowed with enormous cultural, academic, and diplomatic potential, it has, so far, been under-utilised in the process of framing global narratives. As its scale is unparalleled, it can provide a unique platform for intellectual discourse on global issues through the Indic lens, which is in line with the principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family. It could be promoted strategically, and in the process, India could be a leader in cultural diplomacy and global thought leadership. For example, India Foundation, in association with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, has co-organised the ‘Kumbh Global Summit on Development and Sustainability’ with a theme celebrating the intellectual spirit of Maha Kumbha Mela 2025 , from February 21 to 23, 2025. Institutions such as ICCR and IGNCA should invite scholars, researchers, and thought leaders from top universities to take part in debates about India’s contributions to philosophy, arts, sciences, and spirituality. Indic knowledge systems such as Ayurveda, yoga, and Vedanta can be highlighted through panel discussions to show that India’s ancient ways are relevant to our times. In addition, an international symposium on religious harmony should be organised at the Mahakumbh under the broader umbrella of peace and inclusivit, aiming to illustrate the convergence of diverse spiritual traditions. This would further reinforce Mahakumbh’s image as a symbol of inclusive spirituality by engaging religious leaders to discuss coexistence and ethical frameworks. These intellectual and cultural exchanges need to be broadcasted to the world through immersive technologies, multilingual content as well as collaboration with global media, thereby enhancing the festival’s digital outreach. Institutionalising Mahakumbh as a knowledge repository can be taken forward by creating an interactive knowledge hub and publishing proceedings of scholarly discussions. Additionally, diaspora engagement should also be given to consolidate India’s worldwide influence. These objectives can be pursued by setting up a dedicated Mahakumbh International Forum with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, and other ministries.
Conclusion
The Mahakumbh is based on the inclusive and harmonious principles of Sanatan Dharma/. It is a unique gathering of intellectual, religious, and cultural diversity. The Mahakumbh is not merely a festival of spirituality, it is a colossal display of India’s Sanatan values, based on the principle of unity in diversity, and fostering sustainable economic and environmental stewardship.
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