Prayagraj: The Mahakumbh Mela 2025, the world’s largest religious gathering, is drawing to a majestic close today with the final and highly auspicious Shahi Snan (royal bath) on the occasion of Mahashivratri. Millions of devotees from across India and around the world have gathered at the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, to take part in this concluding ritual, believed to bestow spiritual liberation and cleanse sins.
This marks the culmination of the 45-day-long grand spiritual fair, which began on January 13, 2025, with the first Shahi Snan on Makar Sankranti. Over the weeks, numerous religious discourses, cultural programs, and spiritual events have taken place, making this edition of the Mahakumbh one of the most historic ever.
Mahashivratri is one of the most sacred days in Hinduism, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, the deity associated with destruction and transformation. According to Hindu tradition, this night marks the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and it is believed that devotees who take a dip in the holy rivers at Triveni Sangam on this day are blessed with divine grace and salvation (moksha).
For the Akhadas (monastic sects), this final bath holds immense importance. The Naga Sadhus, Urdhwavahurs, Parivajakas, and various saints and ascetics of different sects have participated in the last royal procession before taking the plunge into the holy waters. Their grand march towards the Sangam, accompanied by chanting, music, and the blowing of conch shells, is a sight of unparalleled spiritual fervor.
With Mahashivratri falling on the last bathing day of the Mahakumbh, an unprecedented number of devotees have gathered in Prayagraj. Officials estimate that the total footfall for Mahakumbh 2025 has surpassed 60 crore (600 million) people, breaking previous records and making it one of the largest human congregations ever witnessed in history.
Since the start of the Mela, devotees from over 150 countries have participated, reflecting the global appeal of this ancient tradition. Special arrangements were made for international visitors, including dedicated zones with multilingual assistance and cultural exchange programs to help them understand the significance of the event.
The Uttar Pradesh government has ensured seamless logistics for this massive crowd, with over 20,000 temporary tents, 5,000 sanitation workers, 24/7 medical camps, and hundreds of CCTV cameras installed across the Mela grounds to monitor safety.
In view of the colossal turnout for today’s final Snan, security measures have been intensified. Authorities have deployed:
- Over 25,000 police personnel including paramilitary forces.
- Drones and surveillance cameras for real-time crowd monitoring.
- Traffic diversions to regulate movement and avoid congestion.
- Dedicated lanes for elderly pilgrims and specially-abled devotees.
DIG Vaibhav Krishna, overseeing the security arrangements, assured that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Emergency response teams have been stationed at strategic points, and medical units with ambulances are on high alert.
Dhanya Reddy S
Alma Media School Student
