Devotees Take Holy Dip in Ganga at Sangam Ghat Ahead of Mahakumbh 2025

Prayagraj witnessed a large gathering of devotees at Sangam Ghat, where they took a holy dip in the Ganga ahead of the Mahakumbh 2025, scheduled to begin next week. Despite the cold weather and a thick layer of fog covering the city, devotees expressed their enthusiasm and faith as they performed the sacred ritual.

One devotee told ANI, "It feels great after taking a dip here in Prayagraj. We are not feeling cold. Our enthusiasm and belief is way more than the cold we are experiencing."

Tea vendors from western Uttar Pradesh were seen moving about, catering to the crowd as the cold conditions persisted. Hemant Chauhan, a devotee from Shimla, mentioned, "Temperature changes as the day progresses. It is usually cold in the morning and in the evening."

Raj Kumar, visiting from Madhya Pradesh, said, "There is indeed a blanket of fog. It is not as cold as it should have been." Vishnu, a devotee from Kolkata, added, "It is alright (cold). Yogi Ji and Modi Ji did good work (put arrangements in place) for Mahakumbh."

To ensure safety and security during the event, the Uttar Pradesh Police have deployed underwater drones and installed 2,700 AI-enabled cameras in and around the Maha Kumbh campsite.

A day earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off special shuttle buses of the Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation and electric buses named 'Atal Seva' during the second day of his tour in Prayagraj.

The Mahakumbh, which occurs every 12 years, is expected to draw over 45 crore devotees this year. During the event, devotees will gather at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the now-extinct Saraswati, to take a holy dip. The Mahakumbh will conclude on 26 February 2025.

Key bathing rituals, known as Shahi Snan, will take place on three major dates:

• 14 January (Makar Sankranti)
• 29 January (Mauni Amavasya)
• 3 February (Basant Panchami)