Maha Kumbh 2025: World's largest gathering of humans kicks off with 'Shani Snan' on Paush Purnima

The Maha Kumbh 2025, the largest human gathering in history, began on Monday in Prayagraj with the first major bathing ritual, 'Shahi Snan,' on the auspicious occasion of 'Paush Purnima' at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj.

This edition of the Kumbh, held once every 12 years, is particularly significant as seers believe the celestial alignments occurring this time are taking place once in 144 years, making the event even more sacred.

The Uttar Pradesh government is optimistic that 35 crore devotees will attend this year. Early indicators support this, with a record 25 lakh people already taking the holy dip two days before the official commencement of the event.

"It will be a grand Maha Kumbh this time. Along with divinity and spirituality, it would also showcase modernity as this time it is going to be a 'Digi-Kumbh' of sorts with Artificial Intelligence (AI) being tapped in a big way," officials said on Sunday.

Prayagraj is beautifully adorned for the grand occasion, ready to host saints, seers, pilgrims, and visitors from around the world, many of whom have already arrived, united by the shared purpose of immersing themselves in the spiritual energy of the event.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during one of his several visits to Prayagraj, emphasized that the Maha Kumbh, taking place from January 13 to February 26, will showcase India's ancient cultural and religious traditions on the global stage.

Referring to the event as a reflection of India's rich spiritual and cultural heritage, Adityanath stated, "Maha Kumbh offers people from across the globe a chance to reconnect with their ancient traditions and cultural roots. The latest edition of the Maha Kumbh will be a grand, divine, and digitally advanced event."

"Spanning 10,000 acres, the event will set an exemplary standard for cleanliness, security, and modernity. To enhance the convenience of devotees, a digital tourist map will facilitate monitoring the cleanliness of toilets, while an AI-powered security system integrated with smartphones will ensure safety," the chief minister added.

Adityanath also emphasized that the Maha Kumbh is not just a religious event, but a symbol of social and spiritual unity.

He highlighted that the event will transform Mahakumbh Nagar into the world's largest temporary city, capable of accommodating between 50 lakh and 1 crore devotees at any given time.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh added that over 55 police stations have been established, with 45,000 police personnel deployed to ensure safety during the fair. Additionally, projects have been initiated to monitor social media continuously to prevent any disruptions.

Thirteen Akharas, representing various sects of seers, are participating in this edition of the Maha Kumbh, drawing attention from people worldwide, including those keen to explore India's timeless spiritual traditions.

The walls of various offices in Prayagraj have been adorned with artwork depicting different aspects of Hinduism, gods and goddesses, and key events from religious texts.

The city's crossroads have undergone a major transformation, now decorated with religious symbols such as the 'kalash' (pitcher), conch shell, and various poses from the ‘Surya Namaskaar’ yogic practice. Barricades have been installed at key intersections for improved crowd management.

Additionally, 30 pontoon bridges have been set up in both the Sangam area and Phaphamau to facilitate the movement of people across the confluence.

Large gates have been erected at several entry points to warmly welcome the devotees into the holy city.

This year’s Maha Kumbh holds special significance as it marks the first Kumbh following the ‘Pran Pratistha’ of Lord Ram in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. The first anniversary of the consecration ceremony is currently being celebrated in Ayodhya.

As usual, the Akhara area is filled with camps from various sects, each adorned with vibrant decorations. This time, however, the entry gates are taking center stage with their unique and thematic designs.

These themed gates not only serve as striking visual elements but also function as markers of identity, helping pilgrims easily navigate the Mela area and reach their designated spots.

"Located near Jhunsi, these gates come in various designs, including aeroplane models, shivlings and crowns, enhancing the overall grandeur of the camps," the UP government said in a statement.

On the eve of Paush Purnima, the banks of the Sangam witnessed an extraordinary surge of faith as lakhs of devotees, including youth, the elderly, and children, gathered to take a holy dip in the sacred waters.

The occasion coincided with National Youth Day, further energizing the youth, who saw the festival as an opportunity to reconnect with their roots and traditions. Senior officials, including DIG Vaibhav Krishna and SSP Rajesh Dwivedi, are overseeing the arrangements, supported by an expanded police force providing real-time updates.

In the digital age, the Maha Kumbh is also trending on social media, with devotees sharing their experiences through videos and pictures, and many offering virtual ‘darshan’ of the Ganga to their families via video calls.