The grand Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj draws to a close today, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, as devotees gather at Triveni Sangam for the final Amrit Snan.
Mahashivratri, signifying the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, holds deep significance in Hindu tradition, particularly in the context of the Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years and believed to grant ‘moksha’ to pilgrims.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva played a crucial role in the Samudra Manthan, leading to the emergence of the Amrit Kumbh—the essence of the Kumbh Mela itself.
The sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati has witnessed an immense surge in devotees.
According to official figures, by 2 am today, 11.66 lakh pilgrims had performed the holy ritual. Within the next two hours, this number escalated to 25.64 lakh, and by 6 am, it had reached 41.11 lakh.
Authorities estimate that by the end of the day, over one crore devotees will have taken the ritualistic dip.
Elaborate arrangements
A vast number of devotees, many of whom began gathering along the riverbanks at midnight, waited patiently for the ‘Brahma Muhurt’ to take their ritualistic bath.
The final Amrit Snan follows a series of significant bathing dates, including Paush Purnima (13 January), Makar Sankranti (14 January), Mauni Amavasya (29 January), Basant Panchami (3 February), and Maghi Purnima (12 February).
On Tuesday alone, an estimated 1.33 crore pilgrims took a holy dip at the Sangam and other designated ghats within the Mela grounds, pushing the total attendance for the Maha Kumbh 2025 beyond 65 crore, according to the Uttar Pradesh government.
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Extensive security arrangements have been put in place to manage the colossal crowd. A combined force of state police, paramilitary personnel, and disaster response teams has been deployed to oversee crowd control and maintain order.
Surveillance drones and AI-enabled CCTV cameras are monitoring real-time developments, while command centres have been set up to ensure seamless coordination.
Medical teams and emergency response units remain stationed at critical points, with disaster management forces on standby.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his wishes on the occasion.
“Hearty wishes to all the revered saints, Kalpvasis and devotees who have come to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam today on the holy bathing festival of Mahashivratri dedicated to the worship of Lord Bholenath in Mahakumbh-2025, Prayagraj. May Tribhuvanpati Lord Shiva and holy river Mother Ganga bless everyone. This is my prayer. Har Har Mahadev,” he tweeted.
Transport and crowd control measures
With the influx of devotees peaking on the final day, authorities have enforced a ‘no vehicle zone’ in and around the Mela area to facilitate smooth movement. Railway stations, bus terminals, and entry points to the city are experiencing an overwhelming rush.
The North Eastern Railway (NER) has introduced additional trains and reinforced security at key stations.
“Sixty trains, including regular, ring rail, long-distance, and special Mela trains, operated until 4 pm on 25 February, with 25 more special trains scheduled for Mahashivratri,” said NER Chief Public Relations Officer Pankaj Kumar Singh.
As Maha Kumbh 2025 concludes, the spectacle of faith, devotion, and tradition leaves an indelible mark on the sacred banks of Prayagraj, with millions departing with renewed spiritual fervour.
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