This commemorative postage stamp was issued by India Post on 2nd February 2019 in celebration of the Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj. This stamp features a vibrant depiction of men taking a dip in the sacred waters at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Kumbh Mela was inscribed in 2017 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The committee acknowledged Kumbh Mela as the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, highlighting its significance in terms of spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and cultural practices.

The earliest recorded mention of a Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj dates back to the 7th century during the reign of King Harshavardhana. The festival is celebrated in a 12-year cycle, with each location hosting the event once during this period.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which is the largest and most significant, occurs every 144 years in Prayagraj, and is deeply rooted in ancient Hindu mythology, particularly the story of Samudra Manthan.

The latest Maha Kumbh took place between 13th January – 26th February 2025, and gathered over 660 million devotees, and was thereby the largest religious gathering in the world.