The Maha Kumbh 2025, the world’s largest human gathering, kicked off with devotees eagerly lining up for the ‘Snan’ (holy dip) on the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima at the Triveni Sangam. Pilgrims from all corners of the globe gathered at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to participate in the time-honored ritual.
The first significant Shahi Snan, also known as Amrit Snan, is scheduled for Makar Sankranti on Tuesday.
Pandit Pawan Kumar spoke about the sacredness of the dip at Triveni Sangam, stating, “A dip in the Ganga Triveni is the most revered. Lord Ram found peace here during his times of hardship. The effect of this place is such that all sorrow, sins, and unrest vanish. This place provides not just righteousness, but all four Arth, Dharma, Kaam, and Moksha, making it a great blessing to visit.
A sadhu from Jodhpur lauded the exceptional arrangements at the event and credited Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for ensuring such a grand-scale event. He said, “The facilities here are excellent, including food, bathing arrangements, and security. The crowd is huge, and the arrangements wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of Yogi Ji and the BJP government.”
This year’s Maha Kumbh holds extra significance due to a rare celestial alignment that occurs only once every 144 years, adding to the spiritual importance of the event.
To ensure the safety of devotees, NDRF teams and Uttar Pradesh Police water teams have been deployed at key locations. Additionally, traffic police authorities have made elaborate arrangements to facilitate smooth vehicular movement. The entry route to the Sangam Mela area will be through Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (Black Road), while the exit will be via Triveni Marg. During major bathing festivals, Akshayavat Darshan will remain closed to visitors.
For vehicles coming from Jaunpur, parking will be available at locations including Chini Mill Parking, Purva Surdas Parking, Garapur Road, Samyamai Temple Kachar Parking, and Badra Saunoti Rahimapur Marg.
The Maha Kumbh is being celebrated after 12 years, with over 45 crore devotees expected to participate in the event. The grand spiritual gathering will conclude on February 26.