(Image source from: x.com/MahaKumbh_2025)

As the Maha Kumbh of 2025 draws near to its conclusion, an extraordinary astronomical event is taking place in the night sky above our planet. All seven planets of the solar system are set to be observable. These planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will appear in the night sky from various locations in India. This remarkable alignment of celestial bodies lends a special significance to the festival, as many people believe that these cosmic occurrences enhance spiritual energy. The spectacle began in January 2025 with the visibility of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and will reach its climax in February when Mercury becomes part of the display. The height of this event is expected on February 28, 2025, when all seven planets will line up on one side of the Sun.

The phrase "planetary alignment" is commonly used to refer to these occurrences, even though it does not have a precise scientific definition. It generally describes the phenomenon of seeing multiple planets at the same time in the night sky. These celestial objects will take their positions along the ecliptic, the path the Sun traces across the sky, as their orbits are approximately in the same plane. During this planetary display, viewers will be able to see five of the planets without the need for telescopes or binoculars: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. However, observing Uranus and Neptune will require optical instruments because of their dim appearance. The ideal times for viewing will be during twilight, after sunset or just before sunrise, when the planets are higher in the sky. Astronomers note that another chance to see a similar sight with six planets visible in the morning sky will arise in mid-August 2025.

While Uranus and Neptune can be difficult to see without assistance, they can still be found under good observational conditions with appropriate equipment. This festival, hosted every four years at three revered sites—Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik—and at Prayagraj every twelve years, draws millions of devotees who believe that immersing themselves in the sacred rivers during this time brings liberation from the cycle of life and death. Beyond its spiritual significance, the timing of this festival is closely linked to celestial events, particularly the orbit of the planet Jupiter.