Amid the boisterous akharas and photogenic sadhus at the Kumbh Mela, the scrawny, often barefoot men and women performing parikrama around sacred sites may not immediately draw attention.
These individuals are kalpvasis — silent pilgrims on a spiritual journey. Interestingly, India’s highest concentration of centenarians comes from this group.
Public perception around kalpvasis began to shift following a landmark study by Professor Narayanan Srinivasan of IIT Kanpur’s Department of Cognitive Science, conducted in collaboration with UK-based universities.
Supported by scholars such as Nick Hopkins, Stephen D Reicher, Sammyh S. Khan, Shruti Tiwari, and Clifford Stevenson, the research found that the benefits of kalpvas extend far beyond physical well-being.
Kalpvasis, the study concluded, not only live longer and more content lives but also remain free from mental health challenges and modern lifestyle disorders, including insomnia.
These simple men and women of faith believe that completing twelve cycles of kalpvas can bring moksha (liberation) and the well-being of their families and communities.
For 45 days during the Kumbh — from Paush Purnima to Magh Purnima — kalpvasis sleep on the floor or straw bedding, eat modestly, observe celibacy, and remain in a spiritual state of mind.
In an increasingly isolated world, their communal way of life fosters confidence, belonging, and friendship — all crucial for sound mental health.
While the grand Kumbh congregation takes place once every 13 years, kalpvasis often return annually to Prayagraj during the Magh month of the Hindu calendar.
They camp at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers, continuing a tradition followed by their ancestors.
Astrologer Acharya Indu Prakash, a five-time kalpvasi himself, describes the ritual as an ancient wellness regimen. “Kalp is an Ayurvedic process to balance body and mind through fasting, austerity, and detachment from daily comforts. It was devised thousands of years ago for human welfare,” he explains.
He also references the scientific aspects of the kalpvas experience. Amid concerns about water contamination at the Kumbh, Padma Shri Dr Ajay Sonkar collected water samples from eight locations at the Sangam.
His research revealed the Ganga’s unique self-purifying properties, including 1,100 varieties of bacteriophages — microscopic viruses that selectively target and destroy harmful bacteria. These “security guards”, as Dr Sonkar calls them, replicate rapidly to eliminate pathogens. Moreover, Ganga water below 20°C inhibits bacterial growth, making it uniquely beneficial for health.
“Kalpvasis take several dips in the Ganga, walk barefoot, and sleep on the ground — gaining the benefits of these healthy pathogens,” Prakash adds. Combined with fasting, meditation, and spiritual discourse, the practice becomes a holistic rejuvenation process.
The Mahabharata and the Ramcharitmanas both reference kalpvas. Tulsidas, believed to have started writing the Ramcharitmanas at 76 and lived to 122, was himself a kalpvasi.
Spirituality in the Age of Social Media
The number of kalpvasis has grown — from 7 to 8 lakh in the 2013 Kumbh to over a million expected in 2025. But as administrative support and modern comforts expand, the nature of kalpvas is evolving.
What was once a deeply personal spiritual pursuit is now sometimes viewed as a cultural experience. Modern-day participants may post their status as ‘kalpvasi’ on social media, stay in heated tents with electric bedding, and enjoy meals from community kitchens — a far cry from the original austerity.
“It’s a psychological journey. Faith does wonders for the mind,” says Amitabh Kumar, author of Kumbh Diaries. “True kalpvasis follow a sacred circuit — from Ayodhya to Prayagraj for 45 days, and on to Banaras. In villages, families raise funds for years to attend. But if you arrive by air, stay briefly, and live in comfort, the essence is lost.”
Nevertheless, the core values — self-reflection, spiritual renewal, community service, and deep bonds — remain intact. For those who honour the tradition, kalpvas continues to be a timeless path to inner peace and holistic well-being.
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