On the ninth day of the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, over 1.59 million devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam to take a holy dip, braving the chilly weather and dense fog. According to data from the Uttar Pradesh government, more than 1.597 million people visited the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers on Tuesday.
As of January 20, over 88.1 million devotees have participated in the holy ritual at the Sangam. Despite the inclement weather, with dense fog enveloping Prayagraj in the early morning, the turnout remained impressive. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius in the city, with a forecast of fog in the morning, followed by clear skies later in the day.
Flight operations at Prayagraj airport remained normal despite the fog, ensuring smooth transportation for attendees of the Mahakumbh. Thousands gathered at the ghats of Sangam, continuing the centuries-old tradition of taking part in one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty, who arrived in Prayagraj on Monday for the Mahakumbh, shared her excitement and joy about attending the event. On a three-day visit, she expressed her happiness, saying, “I am very excited because this is ‘Teerthraj.’ The Mahakumbh comes after 144 years, and I am excited, hopeful, and extremely happy to be here.”
The Mahakumbh, held every 12 years at one of four locations in India, is one of the largest and most significant religious congregations in the world. Key upcoming ‘snan’ (bathing) dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).
For security, Uttar Pradesh police have deployed over 10,000 personnel, including local police and paramilitary forces. Additionally, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has stationed a “water ambulance” at Sangam to ensure the safety of devotees.
The Mahakumbh began on January 13 and will continue until February 26, drawing millions of pilgrims from across India and the world to the holy city of Prayagraj.
