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2mo ago

Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj Draws Over 540 Million Devotees Despite Challenges

The 2025 Maha Kumbh, the world's largest spiritual gathering, continues to attract massive crowds despite logistical and environmental concerns.

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Hindu pilgrims gather to take a holy dip on the banks of the river Ganges during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on February 14, 2025.
With concerns over crowd management persistently rising, police personnel in Prayagraj and especially in the Maha Kumbh area have been told keep strict vigil while devotees take a dip in the Sangam and perform puja and other rituals at the Mela.
Over 52 crore devotees have taken a holy dip so far at the world's largest human gathering.

Overview

  • Over 540 million devotees have taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam since the Maha Kumbh began on January 13, with numbers continuing to rise as the event approaches its February 26 conclusion.
  • The event has faced significant challenges, including overcrowding, traffic jams, and a recent stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station that claimed 18 lives.
  • Concerns about water quality have surfaced, as the Central Pollution Control Board reported that river water in Prayagraj does not meet bathing standards due to high faecal coliform levels.
  • Celebrities such as Juhi Chawla, Vicky Kaushal, and Mukesh Ambani have joined millions of devotees in taking the holy dip, highlighting the event's cultural and spiritual significance.
  • Authorities have implemented extensive security and transportation measures, including special trains and traffic diversions, to manage the unprecedented influx of pilgrims.