As Maha Kumbh 2025 nears its conclusion, a rare astronomical event is unfolding. All seven planets of the solar system are visible in the night sky.
From India, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune can be spotted together.
This celestial alignment adds a special significance to the festival, as many believe such cosmic events enhance spiritual energies.
The planetary parade, which began in January 2025 with Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, will reach its peak in February when Mercury joins the lineup.
The event will reach its peak on February 28, 2025, when all seven planets align on one side of the Sun.
The term “planetary alignment” is commonly used for such events, though it lacks a strict scientific definition. It generally refers to multiple planets being visible at the same time in the night sky.
These celestial bodies will appear along the ecliptic—the Sun’s apparent path—since their orbits lie roughly in the same plane.
During this planetary parade, five planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—will be visible to the naked eye.
However, Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or a telescope due to their faintness. The best time to observe this rare event is during twilight hours after sunset or before sunrise when the planets are positioned higher in the sky.
Will This Alignment Happen Again?
Astronomers predict a similar celestial event in mid-August 2025, when six planets will be visible in the morning sky.
While Uranus and Neptune are difficult to see with the naked eye, they can still be spotted under good conditions with the right equipment.
Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years in Prayagraj and every four years in Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, draws millions of pilgrims who believe that bathing in holy rivers during this period leads to liberation from the cycle of life and death.
Beyond its spiritual significance, the festival’s timing is closely linked to celestial events, particularly the orbit of Jupiter.
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