The Maha Kumbh-2025 in Prayagraj, India, has become the largest human congregation ever recorded, with over 650 million devotees from 73 nations participating in the sacred event. The festival, which takes place once every 144 years, saw nearly 50% of India's population and over 60% of the country's Sanatani devotees taking a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati. The event also provided a massive economic boost, contributing over Rs 3 lakh crore to Uttar Pradesh's economy.
The ongoing Mahakumbh Mela, held at the sacred Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, has witnessed more than 52 crore devotees taking a holy dip, making it the largest congregation in human history for a religious event. Speaking at a climate conclave, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stressed the importance of saving the environment and rejuvenating the rivers and their ecosystems. Officials have already taken steps to unify the three streams of the Ganga, making Triveni Sangam not just a river but a symbol of cultural and spiritual heritage as well as a crucial ecological system.
Amidst reports of a stampede-like situation at the Mahakumbh mela in Prayagraj, with at least 15 feared dead and 35 injured, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are keeping a close eye on the situation. CM Yogi has appealed to devotees to remain calm and not rush towards the river, while also assuring that all ghats are Ganga ghats for the holy dip. The auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya has caused a massive influx of Hindus to the festival, leading to the cancellation and later, the resumption of holy baths by the ‘akhadas’ and devotees.
On January 29, 2025, Hindus around the world will be celebrating Mauni Amavasya, also known as Maghi Amavasya, one of the most important days in the Hindu calendar. This day marks the first Amavasya of the year and is considered highly auspicious. People will take a holy dip in the Ganga river, which is believed to turn into nectar on this day. With the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela, people will take a pledge of silence to honor this auspicious occasion.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge delivered a scathing speech at the 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, calling out the BJP for their religious displays in search of photo ops while ignoring critical issues like poverty and hunger. He questioned the effectiveness of taking dips in the Ganga in addressing real problems and urged people not to be fooled by false promises.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav spoke out against the dredging of the Ganga river in Prayagraj for the upcoming Maha Kumbh festival. He criticized the move as an "environmental crime" meant to benefit a select group of individuals through corruption. Yadav also warned of potential harm to the river's ecosystem and called for leaving the rivers to follow their natural paths. The Maha Kumbh festival is set to take place from January 13 to February 26.
On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti in 2025, thousands of devotees across India braved the cold weather to gather at various holy sites on the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna. From Kolkata's Babughat to Varanasi's Ganga ghats and Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri, devotees took holy dips and offered prayers, while in Prayagraj, the first Amrit Snan of Maha Kumbh 2025 commenced. This festival, marking the Sun's transition into Capricorn, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and faith in God, inspiring people to face the cold weather for a chance at spiritual merit.
A group of unidentified individuals threw a stone at the Tapti Ganga Express train carrying passengers to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj near Jalgaon railway station in Maharashtra. While no injuries were reported, a windowpane of coach B6 was shattered, causing panic among the passengers. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with passengers demanding strict action against the perpetrators. The Railway Police has registered a case and is currently investigating the matter.
As the Maha Kumbh 2025 began in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, lakhs of devoted pilgrims from different backgrounds took a holy dip in the river Ganga despite the harsh weather conditions. The state government reported that 60 lakh pilgrims had already taken the dip by 9:30 am and a large number of devotees from India and abroad also joined in the celebrations. The ceremony was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who highlighted the message of unity in diversity and the encounter with Sanatan for the welfare of humanity in Prayagraj.
The world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering, the Mahakumbh Mela, began on Monday in the holy city of Prayagraj, India. More than 40 lakh people from different backgrounds came together to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed the significance of this ancient tradition in a modern world and welcomed devotees and saints to the event.