Devotees flock to Triveni Sangam for final Maha Kumbh 2025

New Delhi / Mahakumbh Nagar, Feb 26: The Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj was filled with chants, cymbals, and vibrant colours as thousands of devotees gathered for the final ritualistic bath of Maha Kumbh 2025 on Mahashivratri. Pilgrims from across the country took a dip in the sacred confluence, marking a spiritually significant moment.

As it was the last auspicious bathing day, crowds began arriving at midnight. Some waited for the sacred Brahma Muhurta, while others entered the waters earlier, seeking divine blessings.

Among the many pilgrims were four friends from Siliguri, West Bengal—Akash Pal, Abhijit Chakraborty, Raja Sonwani, and Abhishek Pal. Dressed in matching yellow dhotis, they travelled by car but had to walk part of the way after their vehicle permit expired. “It’s an amazing experience to be here on such a holy day,” said Akash. They carried saffron-coloured containers to take Gangaajal back home.

Devotees also arrived from other parts of West Bengal, including Durgapur and Cooch Behar. The event drew international pilgrims as well, including a group from Nepal.

Many attendees cited the ‘144-year factor’ as a key reason for making the journey, believing this Mahakumbh to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Devotees from Karnataka, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh also traveled long distances to be part of the historic gathering.

Grand conclusion of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

The grand spectacle of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 ended on February 26 with Maha Shivratri, drawing an overwhelming number of devotees for the final holy dip at Triveni Sangam. Over the last 45 days, this religious congregation, the largest in the world, saw more than 62 Crore or 620 million pilgrims participating, surpassing initial estimates by 40 crore or 400 million, according to official figures.

Maha Shivratri, an auspicious occasion commemorating the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, holds special significance within the Maha Kumbh. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva played a pivotal role in the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), leading to the emergence of the Amrit Kumbh (pitcher of nectar), which is central to the spiritual significance of the Kumbh Mela.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which commenced on January 13, witnessed six sacred bathing (snan) days, each attracting millions of people from across the globe.

Authorities had originally planned for around 40 crore or 400 million visitors over the six-week gathering, expecting a daily footfall of 9 million. However, the final count far exceeded expectations, with 620 million attendees. The massive influx of devotees tested the infrastructure, with over 20,000 sanitation workers deployed to manage waste and keep the sacred rivers clean.

The Uttar Pradesh government set up a sprawling 4,000-hectare Mela area, featuring 50,000 makeshift toilets, 30,000 security personnel, and 1,200 CCTV cameras to monitor crowd movement. A fleet of 5,000 buses and 2,000 special trains was arranged to ferry pilgrims, ensuring transportation of piligrims. Over 100,000 temporary tents provided shelter to visiting devotees, sadhus, and international tourists.

Despite extensive preparations, incidents of overcrowding led to two deadly crowd crushes, raising concerns over safety measures. Fire incidents were also reported in several makeshift tents. However, the surge of pilgrims remained undeterred, with lakhs continuing to arrive daily for the religious spectacle.

Environmental concerns also loomed over the festival, as reports indicated high levels of pollution in the Ganges and Yamuna rivers.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in one of four rotating locations, with Prayagraj hosting the most significant version, the “Maha” Kumbh. Pilgrims believe that taking a dip in the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati during this festival cleanses them of sins and leads to spiritual liberation.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his greetings to devotees worldwide, emphasising the festival’s role in national unity and tradition. “Maha Shivratri inspires people to remain committed to the welfare of society. Lord Mahadev, the God of Gods, is universally revered among the masses. The Jyotirlingas across India stand as symbols of national integration,” he said.