Maha Kumbh embodies India's timeless spiritual heritage, harmony: PM Modi

New Delhi, Jan 13: The Maha Kumbh Mela began today in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, known across the globe for the largest gathering of humanity. It stands as a testament to India’s spiritual faith and heritage, uniting millions in devotion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his heartfelt wishes, emphasising that the Maha Kumbh encapsulates India's enduring spiritual values and its commitment to harmony.

“A very special day for crores of people who cherish Bharatiya values and culture! Maha Kumbh 2025 commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion, and culture,” he shared on social media.

This year's Maha Kumbh carries added significance due to a rare celestial alignment that occurs once every 144 years. Hundreds of thousands of devotees, unfazed by the chilly winter waters since morning on Monday, throng the sacred Triveni Sangam—the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati—to take the holy dip believed to absolve sins and pave the path to salvation. The event will continue for the next 45-day-long festival, attracting millions across India and abroad.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is expected to receive more than 400 million pilgrims in the next 45 days as the festival concludes on February 26. On half a dozen peak days, such as Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami, crowds exceeding 50 million are anticipated to take the holy bath. The festival’s significance lies not only in its scale but also in its spiritual underpinnings.

As described by the media and historians, it is rooted in the ancient mythological tale of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), where drops of the nectar of immortality fell at four locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik—giving these cities their sacred status.

Held every 12 years, with a half Kumbh (Ardh Kumbh) in between, the Maha Kumbh is celebrated on an even grander scale in Prayagraj. The Sangam’s waters, believed to be sanctified by the purity of saints’ thoughts and deeds, draw pilgrims seeking spiritual cleansing and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

The six key bathing days, determined by astrologers based on planetary alignments, are Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Magh Purnima, and Maha Shivaratri. Each holds unique religious significance, with the Shahi Snan days drawing the largest crowds. It is predicted that January 29, being a significant day of the 45-day long festival called "Mauni Amavasya, may attract around 50 to 60 million worshippers to take a holy dip or bathe.

Organising an event of this magnitude necessitates meticulous planning. Spread across 4,000 hectares, a sprawling tent city has been erected to accommodate visitors. This huge temporary township includes 160,000 big and small tents, 45,000 police personnel, nearly 100 parking lots capable of holding over half a million vehicles, and 150,000 additional toilets.

Security is paramount, with the Uttar Pradesh Police deploying a multi-layered system, including hundred plus checkpoints along seven critical routes and a surveillance network powered by artificial intelligence.

The government has allocated a budget of `70 billion with an expected revenue of `250 billion from tourism and related activities.

Infrastructural upgrades, such as widening 200 roads, installing 67,000 streetlights, and constructing 30 temporary floating bridges over the river, aim to ensure a smooth experience for pilgrims. The entry route to the Sangam area is designated via Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, while Triveni Marg serves as the exit route to manage the massive influx of people.

UNESCO has recognised this festival as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The Maha Kumbh is not only a religious gathering, but it is a celebration of India’s rich, colourful cultural tapestry.

The tourism ministry, taking advantage, has begun promoting India’s cultural and spiritual heritage on a global scale. A major pavilion called as "Incredible India Pavilion" which spans around 5,000 square feet is offering foreign tourists, scholars, and journalists complete support and sharing of knowledge on the significance of the festival.

To facilitate international visitors, the Ministry has enhanced connectivity to Prayagraj, partnered with Alliance Air for additional flights, and launched a multilingual toll-free Tourist Infoline.

Major social media campaigns have been launched featuring hashtags like #Mahakumbh2025 and #SpiritualPrayagraj to amplify the festival’s global reach.

In addition, the whole city of Prayagraj has been decorated, cleaned and transformed into a vibrant cultural hub. One can see major streets adorned with murals and paintings depicting scenes from Hindu history and mythology.

The government’s emphasis on sanitation, eco-friendly practices, and public convenience reflects a commitment to sustainable tourism. Over 15,000 sanitation workers maintain cleanliness, while 25,000 bins and 200 water ATMs ensure basic amenities for visitors.

Pilgrims visiting the ground zero believe that bathing in the Sangam’s waters during the Kumbh washes away sins, purifies the soul, and aligns one’s path toward moksha (salvation).

The Maha Kumbh is not merely a festival but a microcosm of India’s diversity and unity. Sea of people from various walks of life, caste, creed, and nationality converge like three rivers at Prayagraj, embodying the spirit of harmony.

As the Maha Kumbh unfolds over six weeks, it serves as a reminder of the profound spiritual heritage that not only defines India, offering a platform to showcase its cultural and tourism potential to the world but also the way it has been planned to receive millions of people at the Maha Kumbh 2025. It stands as a beacon of spiritual and cultural unity, celebrating humanity’s eternal quest for meaning and salvation. This unity amidst diversity resonates deeply with the festival’s ethos, making it a spiritual and cultural phenomenon unparalleled in the world.