
MAHAKUMBH NAGAR: The 45-day religious extravaganza, Mahakumbh Mela 2025, marked as the largest congregation of humanity on Earth, commenced early on Monday morning.
Spanning over 10,000 acres, the event witnessed over 1.60 crore devotees, including seers and saints from across the globe, taking the holy dip at Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati—under tight security arrangements.
The event formally commenced on the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima with a ceremonial Snan at Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati—during the Brahm Muhurta.
This year, the Mahakumbh holds extraordinary significance as it coincides with a rare celestial alignment of Pushya Nakshatra, which occurs once every 144 years.
The day began under dense fog, light showers, and a biting cold wave, but that did not deter the lakhs of devotees, saints, and seers who gathered at the ghats to perform the sacred ritual.
The ceremonial bathing processions were led by the Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani, followed by saints from other prominent Akharas, including Niranjani Akhara, Juna Akhara, Anand Akhara, and the three Ani Akharas (Nirmohi, Digambar, and Nirwani). Rose petals were showered on devotees as helicopters flew past, adding to the celebratory spirit.
“Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Shree Ram” reverberated through the air as devotees, many having travelled from distant parts of the world, expressed their devotion.
Among them was Julie from Spain, who shared, “It is very special for me to be with you all Indians here. I am feeling grateful for this opportunity to dive into the sacred river here at the sacred point. I am fulfilled with bliss at this moment.”
A devotee from Brazil added, “I practise yoga in Brazil, and I have come here for 'moksha'. This one is very special, once in 144 years. I am very lucky to be here. India is like the spiritual heights of the world.”
"Till 9.30 am, around 60 lakh pilgrims had taken a dip," the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement.
"A very special day for crores of people who cherish Bharatiya values and culture! Maha Kumbh 2025 commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion and culture. The Maha Kumbh embodies India's timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X.
Ash smeared sadhus from their abode in the Himalayas, the religious from across the country and abroad and those just curious to take in the sights and sounds of the biggest religious spectacle of allthe 45-day Maha Kumbh beckoned them all.
Thirteen Akharas of seers from different sects are participating in the Maha Kumbh.
Elaborate security and logistical arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth experience for all attendees.
According to Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, over 45,000 police personnel have been deployed, supported by more than 55 temporary police stations and AI-powered security systems integrated with smartphones.
The Namami Gange team had organised a large-scale yagya on the eve of the event, which added to the spiritual aura.
The mela will feature several significant bathing rituals (Shahi Snans) on key dates, including Makar Sankranti (14 January), Mauni Amavasya (29 January), Basant Panchami (3 February), Magh Poornima (12 February), and Mahashivratri (26 February).
Modern technology is also playing a role in the festivities, with a digital tourist map aiding devotees in locating facilities and monitoring cleanliness. Many attendees have shared their experiences on social media, offering virtual ‘darshan’ to family members through video calls.
With Mahakumbh Nagar, the world’s largest temporary city, accommodating between 50 lakh and 1 crore people at any given time, the event stands as a testament to India's unparalleled organisational capabilities.
Kailash Narayan Shukla, a devotee from Himachal Pradesh, remarked, “Good arrangements were made for the pilgrims, and we had no problems taking the holy dip.”
As the chants of “Jai Ganga Maiyya” filled the air, a group of women from Uttar Pradesh sang folk songs, while YouTubers and international visitors captured the moments of this awe-inspiring event.
With millions expected over the coming weeks, the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 continues to embody the timeless spiritual heritage of India, offering a sacred confluence of faith, devotion, and culture.
Row over Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statue at Mahakumbh
A controversy erupted at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj after a statue of late Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav was installed at the Mulayam Singh Yadav Smriti Seva Sansthan camp.
The three-foot statue, unveiled on Saturday, drew objections from the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), the highest governing body of Hindu saints and seers in India. ABAP President Mahant Ravindra Puri criticised the installation, calling Mulayam "anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan." He claimed the statue was installed to remind seers of his alleged actions against their community.
Khoya-Paya centre reunites 250 pilgrims at Mahakumbh
Over 250 pilgrims separated from their families on the inaugural day of Mahakumbh were reunited through Khoya-Paya centres set up across the Mela. Equipped with modern tools, social media assistance, and loudspeakers, these centres helped locate missing persons quickly.
Special sections for women and children ensured effective assistance, while police and civil defence teams facilitated ground-level support.
Jharkhand sisters tie red ribbon to stay together
To avoid separation amidst massive crowds, two sisters from Jharkhand, Gita and Lalita, devised an innovative solution during Mahakumbh.
They tied their bangles together with a red ribbon to stay close while exploring the city. The sisters plan to continue this arrangement for the rest of their pilgrimage.
2,000 sewadoots ensure safety and cleanliness at Ghats
During the Paush Purnima bathing at Mahakumbh, 2,000 Ganga Sewadoots ensured the safety and cleanliness of 41 ghats along the Sangam. The volunteers promptly collected flowers and petals offered by devotees, preserving the purity of the river.
Scouts and Guides from nearby districts such as Sonbhadra, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, and Varanasi also participated, with 91 teams engaged and 10,200 volunteers expected to serve over the next 45 days.