Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Adityanath congratulates seers, devotees for taking holy dip on first day of Maha Kumbh

Mahakumbh Mela 2025 Live: UP government showered flowers on devotees during the Snan Parv at Mahakumbh

On Day 1 of Maha Kumbh, UP Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh said, "The state govt, district administration and the mela administration were preparing for this for the past 1.5 years. Devotees have gathered in large numbers since 2 am (today) and participating in the 'snan' (holy dip). Till morning, nearly 35 lakh people had participated in the 'snan' but I feel this number would have increased to a crore by now."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday congratulated the seers and devotees who took a dip in the Sangam on Paush Purnima, with which the grand festival of Maha Kumbh officially began in Prayagraj.

In a post on X, he said 1.5 crore people bathed in the three-river confluence on the very first day of the festival.

The chief minister also thanked the Mela and Prayagraj administrations, state police, local civic bodies, Swachhagrahis, Ganga Sevadoots, Kumbh Sahayak, and other religious and voluntary organisations for making the first bathing successful.

he India Meteorological Department (IMD) has developed a dedicated webpage to provide weather updates for the Maha Kumbh, the world's largest religious gathering.

The Maha Kumbh began on Monday with tens of lakhs of people taking a dip in the Triveni Sangam -- the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. It will continue until February 26.

The special webpage for the Maha Kumbh provides information on temperature, wind chill, wind speed and direction, humidity and air quality.

It also offers hourly, three-hourly and weekly forecasts for Prayagraj and neighbouring cities, including Ayodhya, Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur and Varanasi.

1. Accommodation and Tourism

• Local hotels, guesthouses, and temporary lodging arrangements are expected to generate ₹40,000 crore in trade.

2. Food and Beverages

• Packaged foods, water, biscuits, juices, and meals will likely contribute ₹20,000 crore to the economy.

3. Religious Items and Offerings

• Items like oil, lamps, Ganga water, idols, incense sticks, and religious books are estimated to yield ₹20,000 crore in trade.

4. Transportation and Logistics

• Local and interstate transportation, freight services, and taxis could contribute ₹10,000 crore.

5. Tourism Services

• Tour guides, travel packages, and related services are expected to add ₹10,000 crore.

6. Handicrafts and Souvenirs

• Sales of local crafts, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs are projected at ₹5,000 crore.

7. Healthcare Services

• Temporary medical camps, Ayurvedic products, and medicines are expected to generate ₹3,000 crore.

8. IT and Digital Services

• E-ticketing, digital payments, Wi-Fi services, and mobile charging stations may see a business of ₹1,000 crore.

9. Entertainment and Media

• Advertising, promotional activities, and media-related services are likely to result in ₹10,000 crore of trade.

Among a sea of humanity that took the holy dip in the Sangam in their quest for 'moksha' on Monday was a large number of overseas visitors, soaking in the spiritual fervour at the world's largest gathering of humans.

The Maha Kumbh, which began Monday with the 'Shahi Snan' on 'Paush Purnima', has transformed the meeting point of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati into a vibrant confluence of faith, culture and humanity, with its fair share of global attendees experiencing the rare celestial alignment that occurs once every 144 years.

Michael, a former US Army soldier-turned-ascetic now known as 'Baba Mokshapuri', shared his journey of transformation.

"I was an ordinary man with a family and career. But I realised that nothing in life is permanent, so I embarked on a quest for salvation," he said to the news agency PTI .

Associated with the Juna Akhara, Michael has dedicated his life to propagating Sanatan Dharma.

"This is my first Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, and the spiritual vibes are extraordinary," he said.

The spiritual extravaganza has attracted a diverse set of foreigners -- from South Korean YouTubers filming the festival, to Japanese tourists keenly learning about the traditions alongside European pilgrims.

Karnataka Milk Federation, which markets its dairy products under the Nandini brand, on Monday said that it has partnered with the tea café chain, Chai Point for the Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.

As part of this collaboration, Chai Point has established 10 stores within the Maha Kumbh Mela premises, and these stores are poised to serve over 1 crore cups of tea during the event, aiming to set a Guinness World Record for the highest number of tea cups sold at a single event, KMF said, in a release.

Every cup of tea brewed at the Maha Kumbh Mela will feature "rich and high-quality" milk from Nandini, ensuring a delightful experience for tea enthusiasts, the release added.

"Till now, around 1 crore devotees have taken a holy dip in Sangam area on the first 'Amrit snan' day," Director General of Police Prashant Kumar on Monday said told ANI.

He said that the police personnel remain deployed as the rush of devotees continues at Sangam and the police administration was surveilling the area via drones. The DGP added that no information about any mishap has been reported.

In addition to the train services, substantial upgrades to road networks have been made, including the construction of 14 new flyovers and underpasses, 11 new road corridors, and 30 pontoon bridges.

These measures aim to ease traffic congestion and improve the overall flow of pilgrims.

The government has also provided 7,000 buses and 550 shuttle buses, with 7 new bus stops set up to manage the transportation needs of the crowd.

The Uttar Pradesh government is anticipating a record turnout, with over 40 crore devotees expected to participate.

In preparation for this massive influx, authorities have installed 160,000 tents, 150,000 toilets, and a 776-mile drinking water pipeline at a temporary city covering 4,000 hectares—roughly the size of 7,500 football fields.

Pilgrims from across the globe have joined the event.

“I practice yoga in Brazil, and Sanatan Dharma has changed my life. Being here for moksha is a dream come true,” said a Brazilian devotee.

Julie from Spain echoed similar sentiments, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to bathe at the sacred confluence.

East Coast Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Ashok Kumar Mishra shared details about the extensive train arrangements for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj.

"During the Maha Kumbh, Indian Railways will operate over 13,000 trains, including 10,000 regular services and over 3,000 special trains. For Odisha, we have introduced seven pairs of special trains that will each make seven rounds to ensure seamless travel for devotees," said Mishra.

The initiative is part of Indian Railways' efforts to accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims and ensure smooth transportation to and from Prayagraj during the spiritual mega-event.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj's iconic Sangam has introduced a unique attraction for devotees and visitors.

Larger-than-life cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have been installed at the mela, quickly becoming a hotspot for selfies.

Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal says, "Thousands of people from Bihar are heading to Maha Kumbh, an important and auspicious event in our Sanatan tradition. Devotees are going to take a holy dip and seek blessings."

UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak on Mahakumbh Mela 2025, "We welcome all devotees, and the UP government has made comprehensive arrangements for security, health, and every situation."

DIG Vaibhav Krishna stated that approximately 50 lakh people have already taken the holy dip at the Sangam.

He added that official figures will be released shortly. "All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure smooth proceedings. Crowd management measures are in place, and there is ample parking space for vehicles. Both central and state police forces have been deployed to maintain law and order, and we are fully prepared to handle any situation that may arise," Krishna confirmed.

On the occasion of Paush Purnima, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his greetings as the Maha Kumbh Mela commenced at the Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati.

He hailed the event as a confluence of cultures and a symbol of unity in diversity.

Around 40 lakh pilgrims took the first holy dip in the early hours, marking the start of this grand spiritual gathering. "Greetings on Paush Purnima. The world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering, 'Mahakumbh,' begins today in Prayagraj," Adityanath posted on X.

Prayagraj is witnessing an influx of lakhs of devotees arriving to take a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh 2025.

The newly expanded triangular area at Sangam Noj Ghat is bustling with activity as pilgrims gather since morning to immerse themselves in this sacred ritual.

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar stated this morning, "Maha Kumbh 2025 has begun today, with approximately 60 lakh people already having taken the holy dip. This time, the event is a perfect confluence of faith and modernity. In addition to traditional policing, we have enhanced arrangements for devotees by incorporating more technology. Today, we will also witness 'Pushp Varsha'. Everything is proceeding smoothly and without interruptions. We are committed to ensuring that this Kumbh is grand, divine, digital, and above all, safe."

As the Maha Kumbh Mela kicked off in Prayagraj on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the occasion as a "very special day" for those who cherish India's values and culture.

He described the event as a grand symbol of India's spiritual heritage, bringing people together in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion, and culture.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "A very special day for crores of people who cherish Bharatiya values and culture! Maha Kumbh 2025 commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion and culture. The Maha Kumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony."

A Civil Defence volunteer at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, this morning, shared an update on crowd management and safety measures, stating, "An elderly person got lost, but with the help of Civil Defence, UP Police, and the administration, we identified his family and reunited them. The administration is efficiently controlling the crowd. There’s no need for anyone to be worried; we are here to help."

On the other hand, a Russian devotee attending Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 shared her heartfelt appreciation, saying, "Mera Bharat Mahaan... India is a great country. This is my first time at the Kumbh Mela, and it’s an incredible experience. What truly stands out is the spirit of the people here. The real power of India is in its people. I am overwhelmed by the energy of this sacred place. I love India."

Meanwhile, Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj, the Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, spoke on the profound significance of water during the Maha Kumbh Mela, saying, "Water is synonymous with our Sanatan culture. It has life-giving properties. The existence of our gods, including Narayana and Brahma, stems from water. Today marks the start of the Hindu month of 'Magha' with Paush Purnima. Many devotees have gathered here not only for the holy dip but also for 'anushthan,' seeking the deeper meaning and essence of human life."

As Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 begins today on Paush Purnima, devotees flood the ghats of Prayagraj.

A visiting saint from Udaipur shared thoughts on the arrangements, saying, "This is my first time here, and the arrangements are excellent. There's nothing that you won't find here."

A Special Horse Squad has been deployed to patrol the Sangam area as millions of devotees gather for the sacred bath during the Maha Kumbh Mela.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, held at the sacred Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, is a unique confluence of three rivers: the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.

This spiritual confluence is central to the world’s largest religious gathering, drawing millions of devotees, saints, and cultural enthusiasts from around the globe.

The Maha Kumbh Mela typically occurs every 12 years in Prayagraj.

However, the cycle of 144 years represents 12 complete Maha Kumbh Melas.

This rare alignment of celestial movements involving the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter makes the 144-year cycle particularly sacred.

The Kumbh Mela rotates among four locations - Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik - every three years, with the Maha Kumbh being exclusive to Prayagraj.

Rooted in ancient traditions, the Maha Kumbh Mela is believed to have originated in the 8th century when philosopher Shankara invited ascetics and scholars for discussions.

The event is also linked to the mythical churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) for the nectar of immortality.

The term Kumbh, meaning "pitcher," also symbolises the zodiac sign Aquarius, linked to Jupiter's position during the event.

The Shahi Snan, or royal baths, are the most auspicious rituals during the Kumbh Mela. The dates for this year’s Shahi Snan are:

January 14: Makar Sankranti (First Shahi Snan)

January 29: Mauni Amavasya (Second Shahi Snan)

February 3: Basant Panchami (Third Shahi Snan)

February 12: Maghi Purnima (Fifth Shahi Snan)

February 26: Maha Shivratri (Final Snan)