Devotees from across the country gathered in overwhelming numbers at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday for the final holy dip (Snan) of the Maha Kumbh 2025, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri. Drone footage captured the breathtaking sight of a sea of devotees converging at the sacred confluence.
Expressing her excitement, one devotee shared her feelings with ANI, saying, “I cannot express my sentiments in words… We came here with a lot of excitement because it is the last day of the Maha Kumbh. We are fortunate to have the blessings of Maa Ganga.”
The series of Amrit Snans began with Paush Purnima on January 13, followed by Makar Sankranti on January 14, Mauni Amavasya on January 29, Basant Panchami on February 3, Maghi Purnima on February 12, and concluded with the final Snan on February 26, Maha Shivratri.
Several prominent Akharas, including Niranjani Akhada, Ahwan Akhada, and Juna Akhada — the largest in the Sanyasi tradition — actively participated in the Maha Kumbh. Akharas, which are religious orders of monks from various sects such as Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Udasi, play a vital role in the Shahi Snan ceremonies.
In anticipation of the massive crowd, the Prayagraj District Administration deployed additional forces and coordinated closely with railway and airport authorities to ensure seamless crowd management. District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar emphasized the administration’s focus on traffic and parking efficiency.
“Tomorrow is the last Snan on Maha Shivratri. We are ready with all our preparations. Extra forces have been deployed for major Snan days. We’ve established good coordination with railway and airport authorities and issued a traffic advisory for smooth movement,” Mandar stated.
The Maha Shivratri festival, known as the great night of Shiva, holds deep spiritual significance, symbolizing victory over darkness and ignorance. It also commemorates the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, celebrated with immense devotion across the country.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath acknowledged the staggering turnout, posting on X, “More than 1.30 crore devotees today and over 63.36 crore devotees so far have taken a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam at Maha Kumbh-2025, Prayagraj — a living symbol of India’s faith and Sanatan’s harmony. Heartfelt congratulations to all revered saints and devotees who received the holy benefit of the sacred bath today in this ‘Mahayagna’ of unity! Hail Mother Ganga!”
Massive sanitation and cleanliness efforts were also implemented in response to the enormous influx of pilgrims. The event set a new Guinness World Record with 15,000 sanitation workers participating in cleanliness drives across multiple venues. Final confirmation of this record attempt is expected on February 27.
To accommodate returning pilgrims after the final Snan, Indian Railways announced the operation of more than 350 additional trains from Prayagraj. Given the unprecedented demand for transportation, the North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway, and Northern Railway have been placed on high alert. Emergency measures, including designated holding areas and internal movement plans, have been established to manage crowd flow safely.
Beyond Prayagraj, devotees also thronged the Shri Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Mandir in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district and Mahipalpur’s Shiv Murti Temple, underscoring the nationwide fervor of Maha Shivratri celebrations.
