India, a land of rich traditions and spirituality, is home to numerous festivals that hold deep cultural and religious significance. While many festivals occur annually, some are celebrated only after specific intervals of years, making them even more special and eagerly awaited. These rare events bring together millions of devotees, creating an aura of divinity and grandeur. Let’s explore some of these extraordinary festivals that follow a unique cycle of celebration.
1. Athi Varadar Festival: The 40-Year Phenomenon
Athi Varadar is a rare and grand event celebrated once every 40 years at the Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The festival revolves around the idol of Lord Athi Varadar, which remains submerged in the temple’s temple tank, Anantha Sarovaram, and is taken out for worship only once in four decades. Devotees throng the temple to seek blessings, as it is believed that darshan of Athi Varadar during this time grants immense prosperity and well-being.
The last Athi Varadar event took place from July 1 to August 17, 2019. During this period, the darshan of Athi Varadar attracted an unprecedented crowd, with an estimated over 1 crore devotees visiting the temple. On peak days, nearly 2 to 3 lakh people gather daily to witness the sacred idol. The next Athi Varadar festival will be held in the year 2059.
2. Kumbh Mela: The Celestial Gathering
The Kumbh Mela, held in Prayagraj, India, is recognized by UNESCO as the world’s largest festival and the most attended gathering of people. This grand spiritual event attracts millions, including sages, ascetics, common people, men, women, and Vedic scholars. Celebrated in four locations—Haridwar, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Ujjain, and Nashik—the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is the most famous and widely recognized. There are four types of Kumbh Melas, each with unique significance.
The Ardh Kumbh Mela is held every six years in Haridwar and Prayagraj.
The Purna Kumbh Mela occurs every twelve years in Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, and Ujjain.
The Magh Kumbh Mela, also known as the Chhota (Small) Kumbh Mela, occurs annually in January and February in Prayagraj.
The rarest and most sacred of all, the Maha Kumbh Mela, is celebrated once every 144 years after 12 Purna Kumbh Melas and is held exclusively in Prayagraj.
The last Maha Kumbh Mela took place in 1881, and this year, it was held for 45 days, attracting an unprecedented cumulative attendance of approximately 664 million people.
3. Pushkaram: The 12-Year River Festival
Pushkaram is a unique festival dedicated to the worship of sacred rivers in India, celebrated every 12 years. Each river is associated with a specific zodiac sign, and when Jupiter enters that sign, the Pushkaram festival for the corresponding river takes place. The most prominent among them is the Godavari Pushkaram. Devotees take holy dips in the river, perform rituals, and offer prayers to ancestors, believing it purifies their souls
4. Nabakalebara: The 12-Year Rebirth of Deities
Nabakalebara is a significant ritual held approximately every 12 to 19 years at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. During this festival, the wooden idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are replaced with newly carved ones from sacred neem trees. The old deities are buried in a ritualistic manner. This festival represents the cycle of rebirth and is considered one of the most sacred events in Jagannath worship.
5. Lakshadeepam: The Six-Year Illuminated Festival
Lakshadeepam, meaning ‘one lakh lamps,’ is a spectacular festival celebrated once in six years at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The entire temple premises are illuminated with thousands of oil lamps, creating a mesmerizing spiritual ambiance. The festival marks the conclusion of the Murajapam (chanting of Vedic hymns) ritual, which lasts for 56 days. Devotees believe that witnessing the grand lighting brings immense spiritual blessings.
6. Maha Magam Festival in Kumbakonam
The Mahamaham Festival is a significant Hindu event held every 12 years in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, attracting millions of devotees. Celebrated in the Tamil month of Masi (February–March), it is considered as sacred in South India as the Kumbh Mela. The festival centers around the Mahamaham Tank, a vast temple tank spanning approximately 20 acres, surrounded by 16 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, after a cosmic deluge, Lord Shiva broke a divine pot (kumbha) at Kumbakonam, dispersing its contents to sanctify the land. During Mahamaham, it is believed that sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati converge in the tank, offering devotees a chance to cleanse their sins by taking a holy dip. The festival's rituals include flag-hoisting ceremonies, processions of deities, and various cultural events, transforming Kumbakonam into a vibrant hub of spirituality and tradition.