15 Million People Take Holy Dip on First Day of Maha Kumbh Festival

- Advertisement -

PRAYAGRAJ, India – Nearly 15 million people, far surpassing expectations, took a holy dip in the frigid waters of Prayagraj on Monday, marking the first day of India’s Maha Kumbh Mela festival.

The event, which takes place every 12 years, drew a crowd six times larger than the expected 2.5 million participants.

- Advertisement -

The festival, one of the largest human gatherings globally, is set to attract more than 400 million visitors, both from India and abroad.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the devotees, noting that they had received “the holy benefit of bathing in the uninterrupted and clean Triveni,” the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

The ritual dip is believed to cleanse participants of their sins.

Devotees walk across pontoon bridges to take a holy dip at Sangam, the meeting point of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, during the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, on January 13, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/ADNANA ABIDI

Security is a priority, with over 40,000 police officers stationed to manage the crowds, supported by AI-powered surveillance cameras to ensure safety.

- Advertisement -

The festival’s crowd management is crucial, as millions gather in a temporary city set up along the riverbanks, complete with 150,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, and 145,000 restrooms.

The Maha Kumbh, a significant spiritual event, traces its origins to Hindu mythology, where the god Vishnu took a golden pitcher containing the nectar of immortality from demons, and four drops fell on the cities where the Kumbh Mela is held in rotation every three years.

The “Maha” Kumbh, occurring once every 12 years, is especially auspicious and attracts the largest crowds.

The event is a blend of religion, spirituality, and tourism, testing India’s crowd management capabilities. Authorities have also ramped up transportation, with Indian Railways adding 98 extra trains to accommodate the influx of visitors.

- Advertisement -

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party governs Uttar Pradesh, expressed the festival’s significance in celebrating India’s spiritual heritage.

“The Maha Kumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony,” he said in a social media post.

- Advertisement -

Latest

DFA Denies Reports of Bail for Detained Filipinos in Qatar

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has refuted circulating...

Malacañang Assures Public Amid Taiwan Invasion Fears; Gov’t Ready to Repatriate Filipinos

Malacañang has reassured the public that there is no...

Philippine Navy to Deploy New Warships to West Philippine Sea, Northern Luzon

The Philippine Navy is set to deploy its new...

Woman Dies, Two Injured After Truck Reverses Into Kuliglig

A woman was killed, while two others sustained injuries...

Three Dead, Three Injured in Motorcycle Collision in Isabela

Three people died, while three others sustained injuries in...

Newsletter

Three Young Siblings Die in a House Fire

Three young siblings died after being trapped inside their home during a fire in a residential area on Avocado Street, Sitio Mabapo, Barangay Mambaling,...

China Rocket Debris May Fall in Cagayan Waters, OCD Warns

The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Region 2 has warned of possible debris from a Chinese rocket falling into the waters off Cagayan. According...

Three Dead, Three Injured in Motorcycle Collision in Isabela

Three people died, while three others sustained injuries in a collision involving three motorcycles in Victoria, Mallig, Isabela. According to PCapt. Richard Binalay, Deputy Chief...