As Maha Kumbh enters its final week before concluding on February 26, a rare astronomical phenomenon will captivate skywatchers across India. For the first time in decades, all seven planets of the solar system – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune – will be visible in the night sky, offering a spectacular cosmic display. This event, which started in January 2025, will culminate in a breathtaking planetary parade as Mercury joins the formation, completing the alignment.

The celestial bodies will be visible along the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the sky. Their orbits lie nearly within the same plane, creating the perfect conditions for this rare alignment. While five of the planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – will be visible to the naked eye, Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or a telescope for observation, due to their faintness.

The planetary alignment will peak on February 28, when all seven planets gather on one side of the Sun, offering an unforgettable view. The best time to witness this cosmic event will be during twilight, either after sunset or before sunrise, when the planets will be positioned higher in the sky for optimal visibility.

This unique celestial event adds an extra layer of significance to the already spiritually charged atmosphere of the Maha Kumbh, believed by some to amplify spiritual energies. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness both a historic religious gathering and a rare astronomical phenomenon at the same time!