Maha Kumbh 2025: Pilgrims Immerse in Sacred Waters as 45-Day Festival Commences

New Delhi, Jan 13 (NationPress) Pilgrims immersed themselves in the sacred waters of Triveni Sangam, a revered confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and mystical Saraswati, located in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. This significant day, known as Paush Purnima in the Hindu calendar, signals the commencement of the 45-day Maha Kumbh festival.

A vast assembly of devotees, many journeying from various parts of India and beyond, participated in the sacred ritual known as 'Shahi Snan'.

The Maha Kumbh festival, expected to attract approximately 45 crore attendees from January 13 to February 26, aims to highlight India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual practices.

To ensure safety during the Maha Kumbh, the Uttar Pradesh government has implemented comprehensive security measures throughout the city.

For the first time, underwater drones with capabilities of diving up to 100 meters have been deployed for continuous surveillance in the Sangam area, while tethered drones that can soar up to 120 meters offer aerial perspectives to manage crowd control and identify areas needing medical or security assistance.

Over 2,700 cameras equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology will facilitate real-time monitoring and facial recognition at entry points.

In addition, a dedicated team of 56 cyber experts will oversee online security threats, with cyber help desks established in all police stations across the city.

Authorities have arranged for 150,000 tents to accommodate pilgrims, along with enhanced toilet and sanitation facilities. Approximately 450,000 new electricity connections have been installed to meet the demands.

Electric buses are being operated for the convenience of the devotees, and the Indian Railways has introduced 98 special trains to facilitate 3,300 trips during the festival.

Special attention has been given to health and emergency services for pilgrims visiting the Kumbh region, with temporary hospitals featuring surgical and diagnostic capabilities set up to assist.

The Kumbh Sah'AI'yak chatbot is an advanced AI tool designed to provide immediate guidance and updates to attendees of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. This digital companion will serve millions of devotees, featuring multilingual support, interactive engagement, personal navigation, and cultural insights. It can be accessed via the official Maha Kumbh 2025 mobile application or through WhatsApp.

On Sunday, prior to the inaugural bathing festival of Paush Purnima, around 50 lakh devotees took a holy dip in Sangam Triveni. Many saints, sages, men, women, the elderly, and children participated. On Saturday, approximately 33 lakh devotees also took part in the holy dip.

The first 'Amrit Snan' on Makar Sankranti is scheduled for January 14, where all Akharas will participate in the bathing ritual according to their respective orders.

Prayagraj has seen significant transformation under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath, moving away from its previously narrow and worn-out roads to remarkable infrastructural improvements in preparation for Mahakumbh 2025.

The city has undergone an extensive makeover ahead of this grand congregation of Sanatan Dharma followers, with the construction and upgrading of more than 200 roads ensuring smooth travel for millions expected to attend.

As part of this transformation, these roads have been beautified with the planting of over three lakh plants and one lakh horticultural saplings, enhancing their overall aesthetic appeal. Devotees visiting Prayagraj for Mahakumbh will not only benefit from improved transportation but will also cherish the city's beautifully transformed and welcoming environment.

In addition to new road construction, many existing roads have been widened to facilitate better traffic flow. The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has reconstructed, broadened, and reinforced 78 roads, while the Public Works Department (PWD) has developed 74 roads, and the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) has worked on 48 roads.

A total of 4,893 electric poles have been relocated to accommodate the ongoing roadwork.

As part of the city's modernization efforts, 170 km of underground cabling has been laid alongside road construction, further enhancing its infrastructure to effectively host the grand Mahakumbh event.