New Delhi:The world’s largest religious and spiritual gathering, the Mahakumbh, began on Monday at the Triveni Sangam in Uttar Pradesh on the auspicious occasion of ‘Paush Purnima.’ This 45-day mega event, themed ‘Ekta ka Mahakumbh,’ is particularly significant due to a rare celestial alignment occurring after 144 years. More than 45 crore people, including saints, seers, and devotees, are expected to attend until February 26.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Mahakumbh as a “sacred confluence of faith, devotion, and culture” that embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he noted that “the Mahakumbh celebrates faith and harmony” while underlining its deep cultural importance.
Kumbh events rotate every three years among four sacred locations — Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. A Purna Kumbh occurs every 12 years, while the Mahakumbh takes place after 12 such Purna Kumbhs. By 9.30 am on Monday, about 60 lakh devotees had taken the holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers; by the end of the day, this number had risen to 1.50 crore.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been overseeing preparations, extended best wishes for the first holy bath. Calling the Mahakumbh a “symbol of Sanatan Dharma’s pride,” he praised the event as a “confluence of cultures and unity in diversity.” The Chief Minister noted that saints, Kalpvasis, and devotees come to meditate, bathe, and experience a blend of faith and modernity.
A temporary ‘Mahakumbh Nagar’ spans over 10,000 acres, with advanced, AI-powered security systems ensuring the safety of devotees and seers. Thirteen Akharas from various sects are participating. Over 55 temporary police stations and 45,000 police personnel are deployed, assisted by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), National Security Guard (NSG), and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). Underwater drones, AI-enabled cameras, and expert social media monitoring help maintain security and address potential misinformation.
To manage the massive influx, 30 pontoon bridges, 7,000 buses, 550 shuttle services, and seven new bus stops have been set up. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also launched a dedicated webpage to provide real-time weather updates for pilgrims.
With tradition and modernity converging at the Sangam, the Mahakumbh 2025 is set to be a historic event, reinforcing India’s spiritual legacy and uniting millions of devotees from around the globe.
