Customise Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

An estimated 400 million people are anticipated to join the Maha Kumbh Mela over the coming six weeks. Getty Images


January 14, 2025 Tags:

In northern India, the sacred city of Prayagraj has become the focal point of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world. Over six weeks, nearly 400 million devotees are expected to arrive, seeking spiritual purification by bathing in the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers meet.

Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela rotates among four holy cities and holds immense significance in Hindu tradition. According to mythology, drops of the elixir of immortality fell at these locations during a celestial battle. UNESCO recognizes the festival as a cultural treasure, drawing both religious pilgrims and cultural enthusiasts, including celebrities.

This year's event, inaugurated by prominent leaders, reflects India's deep-rooted spiritual heritage. Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, shared that millions have already performed the holy dip, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended an invitation to the global community.

Hosting the festival on such a massive scale required years of preparation and significant investment. Prayagraj, home to 6 million people, has been transformed into a bustling tent city with 160,000 tents, 150,000 toilets, and over 1,200 kilometers of drinking water pipelines spread across 4,000 hectares.

Safety is a priority, especially after past incidents of overcrowding and tragedies at religious gatherings. This year, over 1,000 police officers, 2,700 AI-powered cameras, drones, and even underwater surveillance devices have been deployed to monitor the city. Additional measures include checkpoints, flyovers, and improved road connectivity to handle the influx of visitors.

To facilitate transportation, authorities have added 3,000 special trains, 13,100 train services, 7,000 buses, and 30 pontoon bridges. These upgrades aim to ensure seamless travel for the millions expected to arrive by February 26, when the festival concludes.

The renaming of Prayagraj, previously known as Allahabad, reflects an effort to reclaim its historical and spiritual identity. This decision aligns with broader initiatives to celebrate India’s Hindu heritage.

Among the highlights of the festival are the Naga Sadhus, ash-covered ascetics who perform rituals and lead processions. Their participation symbolizes renunciation and devotion, adding to the unique vibrancy of the event.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is more than a religious gathering; it is a testament to India’s rich cultural history and collective faith. For many attendees, it represents an opportunity for spiritual renewal and connection to centuries-old traditions.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Israel Changes Story On Gaza Medic Deaths After Video Emerges

Israel has confirmed that its soldiers made mistakes in the deadly shooting of 15 emergency workers in southern Gaza on....

Gaza Faces Crisis As Aid Blockade Reaches Second Month

One month has passed since Israel stopped the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. As a result, conditions for over....

Trump Stands Firm On Tariffs As Markets Tumble

President Donald Trump has defended his tough new tariffs, saying they are needed to fix the U.S. economy. Speaking to....

Pope Francis Makes Surprise Visit To St. Peter’s Square To Meet The Crowd

Pope Francis surprised everyone on Sunday by appearing at St. Peter’s Square. He had just come home from the hospital....

Obama Asks Americans To Stand Firm To Act Against Trump’s Policies

Former U.S. President Barack Obama spoke to students at Hamilton College in New York on Thursday night. He told them....

Russian Missile Strike Kills 16 In Zelensky's Hometown, Say Officials

A deadly missile strike hit the city of Kryvyi Rih on Friday, killing at least 16 people. Among the dead....

Strong 6.9 Quake Jolts Papua New Guinea, Tsunami Alert Lifted

A powerful earthquake hit near Papua New Guinea early Saturday morning. The quake had a magnitude of 6.9 and struck....

Airstrike On Gaza School Kills 27, Says Health Officials

At least 27 people died after an airstrike hit a school in Gaza City. The building, Dar al-Arqam school, was....

Survivors Found Days After Myanmar’s Deadly Earthquake

Two men have been rescued from the rubble in Myanmar, more than five days after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake....

South Korea's President Yoon Removed Over Martial Law Move

South Korea’s top court removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office on Friday. The decision came four months after he....

India Passes Controversial Bill Changing Muslim Endowment Rules Amid Opposition

India’s parliament passed a bill on Thursday that changes the rules for managing Muslim charitable endowments known as waqfs. Prime....

Gaza hit by deadly strikes as Israel pushes new military route

Israel's prime minister announced an expansion of military operations in Gaza, aiming to put more pressure on Hamas. Deadly airstrikes....