Kumbh Mela

noun

Kumbh Me·​la

ˈku̇mməˌlä

: a Hindu festival occurring once every 12 years in one of four sacred sites where bathing for purification of sin is considered especially efficacious

Word History

Etymology

Hindi kumbh melā festival in the sign of the zodiac Aquarius, from Sanskrit kumbha pot, Aquarius + melā assembly

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

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