The 45-day-long Maha Kumbh at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj is off to a grand start, with over 50 million devotees taking part in the holy dip during the first two days of this massive religious gathering. The event, which began on January 13, is being hailed as the largest gathering of human beings on the planet.
On Makar Sankranti, the first Amrit Snan (holy bath) of Mahakumbh 2025 was held, and the occasion was marked with a spectacular flower shower. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Uttar Pradesh government arranged for a shower of rose petals from helicopters, which fell on the thousands of devotees gathered on the banks of the Sangam (the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati rivers). This gesture added to the sense of spirituality and grandeur, as flowers rained down on the ghats and Akhadas.
Devotees responded with chanting of slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Har Har Mahadev,” their voices reverberating over the sacred grounds. CM Yogi described the Maha Kumbh as a “symbol of the immense power and faith of Sanatan Dharma.” He shared, “On the first Amrit Snan day, more than 3.5 crore revered saints and devotees earned the merit of bathing in the eternal and pure Triveni Sangam.”
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude to all those who played a role in the successful execution of the event, including revered Akhadas, government bodies, police, sanitation workers, volunteers, and religious institutions. Over 10,000 security personnel, including local police and paramilitary forces, have been deployed to ensure the safety of the devotees.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has set up “water ambulances” at Sangam to cater to emergencies. The ambulances, equipped with medical facilities, will operate around the clock, along with the deployment of underwater drones and over 2,700 AI-enabled cameras for enhanced security.
To ensure smooth transportation for the millions of devotees, the Indian Railways is operating 13,000 trains, including 3,000 special trains.
The Maha Kumbh Mela will continue until February 26, with key bathing dates including January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). The Kumbh is celebrated every 12 years, and this year, it is expected that over 450 million devotees will participate in the spiritual event.