As the Maha Kumbh enters its last week before its completion on February 26, all seven planets of the solar system will be visible in the night sky from India, marking a rare and unique astronomical occurrence.
The ability to see all seven of the solar system’s planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—at night lends a special meaning to the world’s largest religious gathering. Some even think that spiritual energies may be enhanced by cosmic events.
Mercury’s arrival in February will mark the culmination of this celestial display, which began in January 2025 when Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune were visible.
On February 28, when all seven planets will assemble on one side of the Sun to form an amazing planetary parade, the alignment will reach its zenith.
Since their orbits are almost in the same plane, these celestial bodies will line up along the ecliptic, which is the Sun’s apparent path across the sky.
Five planets will be visible to the unaided eye during this planetary parade: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Neptune and Uranus, on the other hand, are much fainter and will need to be observed with a telescope or binoculars.
Twilight, when the planets are higher in the sky for the greatest sight, will offer the finest viewing possibilities, either after sunset or before sunrise.
