Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India]: More than 3 million devotees participated in a holy dip at the sacred Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on the fourth day of the Maha Kumbh.
By 6 PM on Thursday, data revealed that over 3 million individuals visited the Maha Kumbh, with the gathering comprising more than 1 million Kalpvasis and an additional 2 million pilgrims. This year’s Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious congregation, has already seen over 70 million participants, including more than 35 million devotees on Makar Sankranti, January 14.
To manage the influx of pilgrims, the Prayagraj administration established an AI-based computerized lost and found center to assist visitors. Sharing details, Additional Mela Adhikari Vivek Chaturvedi said, “An AI-based lost and found center has been set up. Arrangements are made there for accommodation, clothes, and food for the people who are lost. There has not been a single case where we were unable to reunite lost individuals with their relatives. If we cannot reunite a person with their family, the administration ensures their safe return home at its own expense.”
On Wednesday, a 21-member delegation from 10 countries arrived at Arail Tent City in Prayagraj and took part in the sacred dip at Triveni Sangam on Thursday. The group was invited by the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Expressing his joy, Denesh Persaud from Guyana said, “It’s a dream come true. I always wanted to come here and take a holy dip in the River Ganges. I have fulfilled that wish.” Another participant, Sally El Azab from the UAE, shared similar sentiments about the spiritual experience.
The delegation included representatives from Fiji, Finland, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the UAE, highlighting the global appeal of this religious event. Accommodations for the international guests were arranged at the Tent City in Arail, an initiative by the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation.
The ongoing Maha Kumbh, organized under the leadership of the Yogi Adityanath government, began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. Upcoming key bathing dates include:
- January 29: Mauni Amavasya (Second Shahi Snan)
- February 3: Basant Panchami (Third Shahi Snan)
- February 12: Maghi Purnima
- February 26: Maha Shivaratri
The Maha Kumbh continues to captivate devotees and spiritual seekers from across the globe, reinforcing its position as a unique cultural and religious event.