URBAN FORM AND CULTURAL SYMBOLISM IN RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS – A CASE OF KUMBH MELA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/CU/54/01/179-192Keywords:
Kumbh Mela, , cultural symbolism, sacred spaces, intangible heritage, architectural elementsAbstract
The Kumbh Mela, recognized as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, demonstrates the profound connection between urban form and cultural symbolism. This study examines how the festival’s temporary cityscape accommodates millions of pilgrims while reflecting sacred cosmological principles and cultural heritage. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining spatial analysis, ethnographic research, and literature synthesis, the research highlights key elements such as grid layouts, concentric zoning, and architectural features like ghats and pontoon bridges. These features are intricately aligned with the sacred geography of the Triveni Sangam, embodying the cultural cosmology of the event. The festival’s spatial organization not only addresses logistical needs but also facilitates rituals such as bathing, processions, and discourses, fostering a deep connection between physical spaces and intangible practices.
The findings reveal how temporary urban environments can serve as functional and symbolic spaces, blending sacred traditions with innovative urban design principles. By integrating natural and built elements, the Kumbh Mela illustrates the balance between ecological sustainability and spiritual significance. This study provides valuable insights into creating urban environments that preserve cultural identity while adapting to modern challenges, offering a framework for designing spaces that harmonize functionality with the spiritual and cultural values of diverse communities.
Downloads
References
Buzinde, C. N., Manuel-Navarrete, D., & Barón, P. C. (2014). The influence of ritual space on the spiritual experience of pilgrims: A case study of the Kumbh Mela. Tourism Geographies, 16(2), 201-217.
Buzinde, C. N., et al. (2014). Emic understandings of Kumbh Mela pilgrimage experiences. Annals of Tourism Research, 49, 1-14.
Divya, B. R., & Keshavamurthy. (2020). Review study of Kumbh Mela as a pilgrimage site. Yoga Mīmāṁsā, 52(2), 88-95.
Eck, D. L. (2012). India: A Sacred Geography. Three Rivers Press.
Harvard GSD. (2013). Kumbh Mela: Mapping the ephemeral mega-city. Urban India Project.
Hebner, J. B., & Osborn, D. H. (1990). Kumbha Mela: The World’s Largest Act of Faith. Mandala Publishing.
Jain, J., & Singh, A. (2020). "Ephemeral Cities and Their Impact on Urbanism: A Study of Kumbh Mela." Journal of Urban Studies, 58(4), 678-690.
Jain, J., & Singh, A. (2020). "Ephemeral Cities and Their Impact on Urbanism: A Study of Kumbh Mela." Urban Design and Development, 58(4), 678–690.
Saraswati, B. (1998). Kumbh Mela: Mapping the Ephemeral Megacity. Springer.
Shinde, K. (2012). Sacred urbanism: Exploring the interface of religion and urban space in India. International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, 4(2), 172-187.
Shinde, R. (2012). Sacred spaces and the built environment: A study of the relationship between urban form and cultural symbolism. International Journal of Urban Studies, 18(4), 113-124.
Sharma, K. (2015). "Religious and Ecological Dimensions of Kumbh Mela." Asian Ethnology, 74(2), 210-223.
Singh, R. P. B. (2011). Cultural Landscape and Pilgrimage in India: Perspectives and Practices. Taylor & Francis.
Yadav, D., et al. (2024). Cultural heritage and urban morphology: Land use transformation in ‘Kumbh Mela’ of Prayagraj, India. Frontiers of Urban and Rural Planning, 2(8).
Yadav, S., Sharma, N., & Gupta, R. (2024). Sacred geography and urban form at the Kumbh Mela: A spatial analysis. Journal of Cultural Geography, 23(1), 45-60.
Bhagavata Purana. (2007). Sacred Texts of Hinduism.
Chakravarty, A. (2015). The Kumbh Mela: A Sociological Study. Indian Journal of Religious Studies, 22(3), 45–60.
Ghosh, M. (2012). The Mythological Significance of Kumbh Mela. Journal of South Asian Culture, 15(1), 89–102.
Sharma, S. (2016). Spiritual Purification through Pilgrimage: A Study of the Kumbh Mela. Journal of Hindu Studies, 8(2), 154–169.
Singh, P. (2014). Celestial Alignments and the Kumbh Mela: An Astrological Perspective. Hinduism and Astronomy, 11(4), 213–228.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Vishwa Udachan (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
