Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), January 18: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on Saturday, marking the sixth day of the spiritual gathering. He took a ceremonial dip at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the holy Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Following the dip, Singh performed puja and offered prayers at the sacred site.
Accompanied by BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi and other party leaders, Singh’s visit was a significant moment in the ongoing festival. Earlier in the day, he shared his plans on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Today, 18th January, I shall be in Prayagraj to participate in Mahakumbh 2025. The Mahakumbh is a celebration of India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. Looking forward to joining this holy confluence.”
As per official data, over 1.98 million pilgrims visited the Maha Kumbh Mela on Saturday by 10 am. Of this, more than 10 lakh Kalpvasis and 9.84 lakh devotees participated in the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. Since the beginning of the Mela on January 13, over 73 million pilgrims have visited the site, with the numbers continuing to rise.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, has seen an overwhelming number of devotees from across India and abroad. Many took part in the first Amrit Snan (sacred dip) on January 15, during Makar Sankranti, and the atmosphere around the Triveni Sangam has been filled with devotion. Both Indian and international pilgrims have joined in bhajans and other spiritual practices, blending into the unique devotional ambiance of the Mela.
The gathering sees people from diverse backgrounds—rich and poor, traders and officials, men, women, and transgender individuals—coming together to participate in the time-honored tradition of Kalpavas. The unity and spirituality of the event transcend all social barriers.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began on January 13, will continue to draw millions of devotees in the coming weeks. Key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).