The 45-day Maha Kumbh, happening after a gap of 144 years, started at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati rivers and over 45 crore devotees are expected to visit the event.
"I am happy to see Prayagraj abuzz with countless people coming there, taking the holy dip and seeking blessings. Wishing all pilgrims and tourists a wonderful stay," PM Narendra Modi said.
UP government allocated Rs 64 billion rupees ($765 million) for the mega event.
Maha Kumbh 2025 begins in Prayagraj, 45 crore devotees expected to attend
The 45-day Maha Kumbh, happening after a gap of 144 years, will witness the participation of over 45 crore devotees, including nearly 15 lakh from foreign nations.
Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious congregation, commenced on Monday, Jan 13th, in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj district as a huge gathering of devotees took a dip in the Ganga river on the first 'Shahi Snan' on the occasion of Pauh Purnima.
Visuals from the temple town of Prayagraj showed devotees assembling on several ghats of the city and taking a dip at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythological Saraswati rivers to wash away their sins and attain salvation (moksha).
As per the government data, at many as 40 lakh devotees took a dip in the Triveni Sangam at 8 am on Monday.
People not only from India but from all across the world have started arriving in Prayagraj to take a dip at the Triveni Sangam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, 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 successful Maha Kumbh is expected to burnish the BJP's record of reclaiming and glorifying India's religious and cultural symbols for its Hindu base, promised by Modi and Adityanath since their Hindu nationalist party swept to power nationally in 2014.
The UP state government has allocated 64 billion rupees ($765 million) for this year's event, officials said. It has also promoted the Kumbh Mela at several international tourism expositions and invited foreign representatives.
In 2021, Modi's government had refused to call off the Kumbh festival despite a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and allowed thousands of ash-smeared ascetics and devout Hindus to take a dip in the Ganga, possibly fearing a backlash from religious leaders in the Hindu-majority country, says a Reuters news agency report.
Emergency response capabilities include 125 road ambulances, seven river ambulances and air ambulances for swift medical assistance.
"I am fortunate to host one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals in my state," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said.
Prashant Kumar, the police chief of Uttar Pradesh, said around 40,000 police personnel and cybercrime experts have created a web of surveillance powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to protect and help navigate the sea of humanity at the site.
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