Lucknow: The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 kicked off with a significant turnout as nearly 50 lakh devotees took a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers in Mahakumbh Nagar on Sunday. This sacred ritual took place a day before the first major bathing festival, Paush Purnima, which marks the beginning of the grand event.
Devotees of all ages—men, women, children, and numerous saints and seers—flocked to the Sangam to perform this revered tradition, seeking blessings and spiritual purification. According to officials, on Saturday alone, 33 lakh devotees had bathed in the holy waters, with over 85 lakh people participating in the ritual over the last two days.
This year’s Mahakumbh is expected to be one of the largest gatherings in history, with more than 45 crore people anticipated to take part. All 13 akharas, representing different sects of Sanatan Dharma, have set up their camps in designated areas ahead of the 40-day festival.
The first Amrit Snan, an auspicious ceremonial bath, will take place on January 14 in observance of Makar Sankranti. During this event, all akharas will participate in the sacred ritual in an ordained sequence. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure effective crowd control, sanitation, and overall public safety during this immense gathering.
