A Historic Start to Mahakumbh 2025: Over 1 Crore Take Holy Dip at Sangam on Makar Sankranti

Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: The Mahakumbh Mela 2025, the world’s largest religious gathering, commenced in Prayagraj with over one crore devotees taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam — the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. This grand 45-day festival began on January 14, coinciding with Makar Sankranti, attracting millions for the first ‘Amrit Snan.’

Early in the morning, Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani and Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara led the ritualistic Amrit Snan at the Sangam, marking a key spiritual highlight. Devotees were mesmerized by the sight of ash-smeared Naga Sadhus participating in religious processions before their holy bath.

Significantly, this marks the first major event after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, adding greater fervor to the occasion. The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented a range of measures for the event, including 0.15 million tents, 69,000 LED lights, and enhanced security with over 10,000 police personnel and crowd-monitoring cameras.

DIG Vaibhav Krishna stated that separate areas for Akharas and devotees have been allocated to ensure smooth participation. The government has also deployed 15,000 sanitation workers and 2,500 volunteers to maintain cleanliness and safety.

With this spectacular beginning, the Mahakumbh 2025 promises a spiritually enriching and meticulously organized pilgrimage for devotees from across the globe.