By The Sampadak Express
As the Maha Kumbh 2025 draws to a close, a rare celestial event is unfolding in the skies above Earth. All seven planets of our solar system—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will be visible from India, adding a unique and spiritual dimension to the festival.
The planetary alignment began in January 2025, with Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune already visible. The event will culminate in February when Mercury joins the lineup, making it the first time in years that all seven planets will be visible simultaneously. This alignment will reach its peak on February 28, 2025, when the planets will align on one side of the Sun.
For many, such cosmic phenomena are believed to amplify spiritual energies, bringing an additional layer of significance to the Maha Kumbh, which is celebrated every four years at sacred locations like Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, with a grand gathering every 12 years in Prayagraj.
Observers in India can expect to see five planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—without the need for any optical instruments. However, Uranus and Neptune, due to their faintness, will require binoculars or telescopes for viewing. The best time to observe the planetary parade will be during twilight hours, either after sunset or before sunrise, when the planets are positioned higher in the sky.
The term “planetary alignment” is often used to describe these events, even though it doesn’t have a strict scientific definition. It refers to the simultaneous visibility of multiple planets along the ecliptic—the path traced by the Sun across the sky—due to the planets’ orbits being roughly aligned in the same plane.
While Uranus and Neptune are challenging to spot with the naked eye, good conditions and the right equipment will still allow enthusiasts to view them.
Astronomers also note that a similar event will occur in mid-August 2025, when six planets will be visible in the morning sky.
The timing of the Maha Kumbh is deeply connected to celestial phenomena, particularly the orbit of Jupiter, which has long been associated with spiritual significance. For millions of pilgrims, the belief that bathing in the sacred rivers during this period leads to liberation from the cycle of life and death adds to the festival’s powerful spiritual and astronomical importance.
