World’s largest gathering set for auspicious start on ‘Paush Purnima’

The present edition of the Kumbh is being held after 12 years, though seers claim the celestial permutations and combinations for the event are taking place after 144 years, making the occasion even more auspicious

Prayagraj (UP): Maha Kumbh 2025 — a 45-day event billed as the biggest gathering of humans in one place — is all set to begin Monday with the first major bathing ritual or ‘Shahi Snan’ on the auspicious occasion of ‘Paush Purnima’ at the Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati rivers here.

The present edition of the Kumbh is being held after 12 years, though seers claim the celestial permutations and combinations for the event are taking place after 144 years, making the occasion even more auspicious.

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Perhaps that’s why the Uttar Pradesh government is confident of 35 crore devotees visiting Prayagraj this time.

Already the numbers are telling, with a record 25 lakh people taking the holy dip on Saturday, two days ahead of the formal start of the event.

“It will be a grand Maha Kumbh this time. Along with divinity and spirituality, it would also showcase modernity as this time it is going to be a ‘Digi-Kumbh’ of sorts with Artificial Intelligence (AI) being tapped in a big way,” officials said.

On the ground, Prayagraj is all decked up for the grand occasion, ready to welcome saints, seers, pilgrims, and masses from across the globe, many of whom have already arrived — all driven by the common goal of getting soaked in the spiritual fervour.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said during his one-of-the-many visits to Prayagraj that the Maha Kumbh, to be held from January 13 to February 26, will elevate India’s ancient cultural and religious traditions to global prominence.

Calling the event a testament to India’s rich spiritual and cultural legacy, Adityanath said, “Maha Kumbh offers people from across the globe a chance to reconnect with their ancient traditions and cultural roots. The latest edition of the Maha Kumbh will be a grand, divine, and digitally advanced event.”

“Spanning 10,000 acres, the event will set an exemplary standard for cleanliness, security, and modernity. To enhance the convenience of devotees, a digital tourist map will facilitate monitoring the cleanliness of toilets, while an AI-powered security system integrated with smartphones will ensure safety,” the Chief Minister said.

He also said the Maha Kumbh is not merely a religious event, but a symbol of social and spiritual unity.

The event will transform (Mahakumbh Nagar) into the world’s largest temporary city, accommodating 50 lakh to 1 crore devotees at any given time, Adityanath said.

According to Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, more than 55 police stations have been set up along with the deployment of 45,000 police personnel for the fair. Projects have also been sanctioned to monitor social media continuously to guard against any mischief, he said.