2025 Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela
 | |
 Pilgrims at Triveni Sangam | |
| Date | 13 January – 26 February 2025 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Triveni Sangam |
| Location | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Coordinates | 26°25′52″N 82°53′06″E / 26.431°N 82.885°E |
| Type | Hindu festival |
| Budget | ₹63.82 billion (US$740 million) |
| Patron(s) | Government of Uttar Pradesh |
| Organised by | Prayagraj Mela Committee |
| Website | kumbh |
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism |
|---|
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The 2025 Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela, also referred to as the 2025 Prayag Kumbh Mela, is the ongoing iteration of the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage festival celebrating a full orbital revolution of Jupiter around the Sun. It is scheduled from 13 January to 26 February 2025, at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the world’s largest gathering, with an estimated 400 to 450 million visitors.[1] This event marks the completion of a 12-Kumbh Mela cycle and is officially termed a Maha Kumbh Mela, spanning 45 days.[2]
The Kumbh Mela has been organized since many years with its commencement date unknown. As per astronomical calculations, the 2025 edition is unique since the constellation alignment seen is witnessed once in 144 years.[3][4][5][6] The site of each Kumbh Mela is decided by the astrological alignment of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon (Surya), and Moon.[7][8] The Kumbh Mela has been recognised as part of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.[9]
Significance
[edit]The Maha Kumbh Mela symbolises the victory of Gods over demons.[10] In 2025, the event started on 13 January and is expected to conclude on 26 February.[11][12]
The Maha Kumbh Mela is the world's largest peaceful congregation of people.[5] This gathering contains millions of devotees immersing themselves in the Ganges, Yamuna, and the Saraswati, waters of which are considered holy by the Hindus, symbolising a purification of the soul and a path to attaining Moksha or liberation.[13]
Amrit Snan
[edit]
Amrit Snan (transl. Nectar Baths) or Shahi Snan are being held as follows: [14][15]
| Amrit Snan | Day | Date (Gregorian) | Date (Panchanga) | Amrit Snan Occasions (English) | अमृत स्नान के पर्व (हिन्दी) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Monday | 13 January 2025 | Pausha Purnima | पौष पूर्णिमा | Official start of the Maha Kumbh Mela; significant bathing day | |
| Second | Tuesday | 14 January 2025 | Makara Sankranti | मकर संक्रांति | First Amrit Snan (royal bath), a major highlight of the festival | |
| Third | Wednesday | 29 January 2025 | Mauni Amavasya | मौनी अमावस्या | Second Amrit Snan; believed to be highly auspicious for cleansing sins | |
| Fourth | Monday | 03 February 2025 | Vasant Panchami | वसंत पंचमी | Third Amrit Snan; marks the arrival of spring and is significant for devotees | |
| Fifth | Wednesday | 12 February 2025 | Magha Purnima | माघ पूर्णिमा | Important bathing day; an opportunity for spiritual renewal | |
| Sixth | Wednesday | 26 February 2025 | Maha Shivaratri | महा शिवरात्रि | Concludes the Maha Kumbh Mela; another important bathing day |
Financials
[edit]The budget for the event was about ₹63.82 billion (US$740 million) and it is estimated that the event will generate a revenue of more than ₹2 trillion (US$23 billion).[16][17]
Infrastructure
[edit] | This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2025) |
The Government of Uttar Pradesh have set up a temporary city covering 4,000 hectares (40 km2) to accommodate the pilgrims attending the event. To expand the available land, four dredging machines were used to reclaim 26 additional hectares (0.26 km2), significantly increasing the capacity to three times more than in 2019 Prayag Ardh Kumbh Mela. The total length of the ghats is 12 km (7.5 mi), and the surrounding area has been divided into 25 sectors. About 150,000 tents were established to provide accommodation. Nearly 83 projects were completed at a cost of ₹14.28 (16¢ US) for the event.[18]
Transport
[edit]Parking facilities cover an area of 1,850 hectares (18.5 km2). The total road length within the area was increased over 450 km (280 mi) to improve accessibility.[4] Indian Railways has announced an increase in the number of coaches in key trains, such as the Prayagraj Express and Lucknow Mail, to accommodate the expected influx of pilgrims during the Mahakumbh 2025.[19] Indian Railways operated special trains to various railway stations in the area. About 360 trains including 190 special trains, 110 regular trains and 60 MEMU trains to cater to the pilgrims on the day of Mauni Amavasya on 29 January 2025.[20][21]
Health and sanitation
[edit]The Prayagraj Mela Committee set up 150,000 toilets and urinals in the Maha Kumbh area, and a monitoring system was launched to track sanitation levels in toilets. About 10,000 sanitation workers were engaged for cleaning activity.[22] One cleaner was allocated for every ten toilets with a supervisor monitoring a batch of ten such personnel.[23] The Uttar Pradesh State Government deputed 500 dedicated Ganga Praharis for cleaning the river during Maha Kumbh.[24]
Safety and security
[edit]About 40,000 police officers from the Uttar Pradesh Police and surveillance systems were deployed for the event. Additionally, forces from the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (UP-PAC), National Disaster Response Force, and Central Armed Police Forces assisted in maintaining security.[citation needed] A network of over 2,700 cameras provided round-the-clock monitoring, enhancing surveillance across the Mela area.[citation needed] Underwater drones capable of diving up to 100 m (330 ft) were used in recovery ooperations.[citation needed] Maharashtra Police sent two teams to assist in security arrangements and traffic management in the area during the Mahakumbh Mela.[25]
The state government allocated ₹1.31 billion (US$15 million) for the fire department. The Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Department deployed 351 firefighting vehicles and 2000+ personnel across 50+ fire stations and 20 fire posts.[4][26][27] It also deployed four articulating water towers to enhance fire fighting capabilities. These towers can extend 30 m (98 ft) horizontally, and 35 m (115 ft) vertically, and are designed to handle large fire events. Video recorders and thermal imaging cameras were deployed for real-time monitoring and precise firefighting.
The organising committee set up ten lost and found centers across various sectors to reunite missing individuals with their families. These centers use digital registration to keep track of people, with details on missing individuals displayed at all centers. Regular audio announcements, and messages across social media platforms were used to spread information on lost individuals.[28] A mobile application was launched which provided information to the pilgrims.[29] Artificial intelligence tools and chatbots were used to assist tourists and pilgrims.[30]
Incidents
[edit]- On 19 January 2025 a fire caused by an exploding gas cylinder destroyed at least 18 temporary tents at the festival grounds. No injuries were reported.[31]
- On 29 January 2025', a stampede at the festival grounds left 30 people dead and 60 others injured.[32]
Attendance
[edit]The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela has made preparations for the attendance of up to 40 crores (400 million) visitors.[33] Many tourists and pilgrims come from various countries such as Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States. [34][35][36]
Notable people
[edit]Spiritual leaders
[edit]Various Akharas such as Digambar Akhara,[37] Juna Akhara,[38] Agni Akhara,[39] Avahan Akhara,[40] Kinnar Akhara,[41] Mahanirvani Akhara,[42] Atal Akhara,[42] Niranjani Akhara,[42] Nirmohi Akhara,[42] and Udasi Akhara were part of the Kumbh Mela.[39] Spiritual leaders who were part of the festivities include:
- Baba Ramdev, yoga guru[43]
- Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, Peethadhish of the Bageshwar Dham Sarkar[44]
- Swami Avdheshanand Giri, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara[43]
- Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, 145th Shankaracharya of the Purvamnaya Sri Govardhana Peetham, Puri[45]
- Swami Ramabhadracharya, founder of Tulsi Peeth and an incumbent Jagdguru Ramanandacharya[46]
Film and media
[edit]- Adah Sharma, Hindi and Telugu actress[47]
- Anupam Kher, Bollywood actor and producer [48]
- Avinash Tiwary, Indian actor[49]
- Bhagyashree, Indian Bollywood actress[50]
- Chris Martin, British singer and co-founder of the rock band Coldplay[51]
- Dakota Johnson, American actress and daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith[51]
- Guru Randhawa, singer, songwriter and music composer[51]
- Himansh Kohli, Indian Bollywood actor[52]
- Kabir Khan, director, screenwriter and cinematographer of Bollywood[53]
- Mamta Kulkarni, former Bollywood actress [41]
- Milind Soman, Indian Bollywood actor[54]
- Poonam Pandey, Indian model and actress[55]
- Remo D'Souza, choreographer, film director, and producer [56]
- Shankar Mahadevan, singer and composer[51][41]
- Shivangi Joshi, lead actress at Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
- Shreema Bhattacharjee, Bengali actress[57]
- Siddharth Nigam, Indian actor from Prayagraj[58]
- Sunil Grover, actor and comedian, part of The Kapil Sharma Show[59]
- Tina Ambani, former actress and wife of Anil Ambani[60]
Business
[edit]- Balkrishna, chairman of Patanjali Ayurved[61]
- Anil Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Group[60]
- Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of the Adani Group[62]
- Laurene Powell Jobs, chairperson of Steve Jobs trust[51][41]
- Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo[63]
- Sudha Murty, founder and chairperson of Infosys Foundation[64]
Government and politics
[edit]- Akhilesh Yadav, former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh[65]
- Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs [66]
- Arun Govil, Member of Parliament from Meerut[67]
- Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister of Rajasthan [68]
- Hema Malini, Member of Parliament from Mathura [69]
- Kiren Rijiju, Minister for Minority Affairs [69]
- Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence [70]
- Ravi Kishan, Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur [71]
- Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh with his cabinet[72]
Sports
[edit]- The Great Khali, retired professional wrestler[73]
- Mary Kom, former Olympic boxer[74]
- Suresh Raina, former Indian cricketer[74]
- Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council[43]
- R. P. Singh, former Indian cricketer[75]
See also
[edit]References
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