Dr Rashmi Shukla Reimagining Mental Health at Mass Gatherings: Lessons from the Kumbh Mela: A Perspective

Kumbh: Spirituality and Mental Well-being

Abstract

The Kumbh Mela, recognized by UNESCO as a vital piece of humanity’s cultural heritage, stand as world’s largest religious gathering and a deeply spiritual event. While the event provides a meaningful context for emotional healing, spiritual rejuvenation, and community solidarity, it also presents significant challenges to public health and mental well-being. This perspective article explores the dual nature of the Kumbh Mela its psychological benefits and its often-overlooked risks. Drawing from existing literature in social psychology, psychiatry, public health, and religious studies, this article throws light on how participation in mass spiritual gatherings can enhance resilience, reduce feelings of isolation, and foster shared identity. At the same time, it highlights the health challenges posed by crowd density, poor sanitation, sleep disruption, overstimulation, and risk of communicable diseases. One of the most pressing issue is the absence of accessible mental health support during such events, despite growing evidence of emotional distress among attendees. The future iterations of the Kumbh Mela and similar mass gatherings should incorporate structured mental health interventions, including psychological first aid, stress management stations, and culturally sensitive psychoeducation. The article calls for interdisciplinary collaboration among mental health professionals, policy-makers, and religious leaders to develop a public mental health framework suitable for faith-based gatherings. In doing so, it reimagines the Kumbh Mela not just as a site of spiritual transformation but also as a timely opportunity to promote culturally informed mental health practices in India.