The Purna Kumbh happens every twelve years, and is celebrated every three years at one of each of the following four locations in India - Prayag (Allahabad), a city in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh; Haridwar, a pilgrimage city in the Haridwar District of Uttarakhan; Ujjain, an ancient city located in the Malwa region in central India; and Nashik, a city located in Maharashtra.
For the Purna Kumbh, millions of pilgrims from all walks of life, gather at the Kumbh in order to seek salvation. They have a belief that a dip in the sacred river waters on the day will cleanse them of all sins, thus ensuring salvation.
At the Kumbh, one will see the naked sadhus with long matted hair and bodies smeared with ash; you will also see the Urdhwavahurs (who practice severe physical austerities), the Parivajakas (who live under a vow of silence), the Shirshasins (who remain standing for 24 hours of the day and meditate for long hours) and the Kalpvasis (who meditate and perform rituals at the banks of the holy Ganga).
The most recent Purna Kumbha Mela was from January 14 to April 28, 2010
in Haridwar. The next Purna Kumbh Mela will be held at Prayag from January 27 to February 25, 2013. After that, it will be in Ujjan from April 22 to May 21, 2016.