Lucknow, Jan 13: The world’s largest spiritual and cultural gathering, Maha Kumbh commenced on Monday in the sacred city of Prayagraj.
On this auspicious occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended a warm welcome to devotees, saints, mahatmas, kalpvasis, and visitors, wishing them well for the first holy dip of Maha Kumbh.
Highlighting the event’s significance, the Chief Minister described Maha Kumbh as a proud symbol of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, embodying the essence of “unity in diversity.”
He expressed his hope that the wishes of all those seeking spiritual fulfillment through meditation and bathing in the sacred waters of the Ganga would be realized. He further said, “Maha Kumbh is not just a religious gathering but a testament to the global prestige of Sanatan culture and traditions.”
The Chief Minister assured that comprehensive arrangements have been made to ensure the event is divine and grand.
On Paush Purnima, millions of devotees take a sacred dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The banks of the Sangam are witnessing unparalleled spiritual fervor and religious devotion, making Maha Kumbh a transformative experience for visitors from across the country and the world.
“Join us in celebrating the glorious tradition of Sanatan culture at Maha Kumbh 2025,” the Chief Minister urged. “May the grace of Maa Ganga bring happiness, peace, and prosperity to your lives.”
A sea of devotees from across the country and the world gathered not just for chanting, meditation, and spiritual fulfillment, but also to experience the unparalleled cultural heritage of Maha Kumbh. The overwhelming gathering at permanent and temporary ghats, including Sangam Noj in the holy city of Prayagraj, bore witness to this extraordinary event.
Many devotees were seen with teary eyes, overwhelmed by the divine atmosphere, as they immersed themselves in prayers, rituals, and the spirit of unity. These devotees were satisfied with the arrangements made by the Yogi government for the successful and divine execution of this historic event.
Two days before the official bathing day, lakhs of devotees had already begun taking holy dips, indicating that the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh 2025 might surpass the Uttar Pradesh government’s crowd projections. The massive turnout in the initial days suggests that this year’s congregation will be larger than ever before.
On Paush Purnima, Kalpvasis, known for their intense spiritual discipline, took a holy dip in the “Mokshadayini” Sangam, beginning their 45-day-long spiritual retreat. Kalpvasis observe strict vows of celibacy, minimalistic living, and regular prayers during the Maha Kumbh period. They prayed not only for their personal spiritual elevation but also for the welfare of humanity.
This year, the coincidence of Paush Purnima falling on a Monday, an auspicious day for the worship of Mahadev, made the occasion even more spiritually significant. Devotees were seen chanting “Har Har Mahadev,” “Jai Shri Ram,” and “Jai Bajrang Bali” while taking the holy dip at all the major ghats, including Sangam Noj. Pilgrims from various states like Bihar, Haryana, Bengal, Odisha, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh were seen participating in large numbers.
The splendor of Maha Kumbh has captivated not only Indian devotees but also visitors from across the world. At Sangam Ghat, a stream of international pilgrims and spiritual seekers joined the festivities.
Several YouTubers from South Korea were seen capturing the heavenly experience on their cameras, while tourists from Japan engaged with local guides to understand the cultural and spiritual significance of the event.
On Monday, Sanatani devotees from various countries of Europe including Russia-America witnessed this great festival of faith and unity and also took a holy dip.
Among the many international visitors was Christina from Spain, who expressed her heartfelt admiration for the grandeur of Maha Kumbh, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Notably, the crowd expected at this year’s Maha Kumbh is anticipated to surpass the population of several nations, making it a truly global event. Foreign devotees were not only drawn to witness the event but were also seen actively participating in the rituals, with several sadhus and sanyasis from other countries embracing Sanatan Dharma and taking the holy dip as a spiritual blessing.
The vibrant energy of Maha Kumbh extended to the market areas near Sangam Mela and the Lete Hanuman Temple. Sellers of puja materials and tilak artists were seen busy attending to the swelling crowd of devotees. Retail vendors selling prasad, chunri, and diya materials mentioned that the influx of pilgrims this year has surpassed even the 2019 Kumbh Mela.
Maha Kumbh 2025 has transcended borders, becoming a global hub of faith and spirituality. Pilgrims from across India and nations like the USA, Russia, Germany, Italy, Ecuador, and more have gathered at the sacred Sangam, immersing themselves in Sanatan culture.
On the first bathing festival of Maha Kumbh on Paush Purnima on Monday, the atmosphere reverberated with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Har Har Gange,” in Hindi as well as in Spanish, German, Russian, and French, as the devotees took holy dips and applied tilaks on their foreheads.
The Sangam Ghat of Maha Kumbh has emerged as a beacon of spiritual magnetism, attracting devotees from all corners of the world.
Christina, a German resident from Ecuador, described her visit as an unforgettable spiritual journey, saying, “The soul finds peace here.” Her fellow Ecuadorians echoed her sentiment, expressing a sense of purification after bathing in the sacred Ganga.
New York-based fashion designer Kobi Halperin marveled at the grandeur of Indian culture, remarking, “Maha Kumbh is not just a spiritual, but a cultural revelation. This event has given me a profound understanding of India’s traditions and values.”
Accompanied by friends, Mikhail from Russia described the experience as the most beautiful and divine moment of his life, declaring, “The vastness and divinity of Maha Kumbh are beyond words.”
Paulo from Italy, who participated with his 12-member team, commended the arrangements made by the Yogi government. “An event of this scale is unparalleled anywhere in the world. It reflects India’s greatness, and the leadership here deserves praise for making it possible,” he said.
Similarly, Alex from Australia, inspired by his German friends, traveled to India to experience Maha Kumbh firsthand. He described it as “the most memorable moment of my life.”
