The world's biggest festival: Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
Hindu pilgrims are gathering in Prayagraj for the unique Maha Kumbh Mela festival, celebrated once again after 144 years, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Over the next six weeks, around 400 million people are expected to attend this huge religious event, aiming to cleanse their sins and find spiritual peace.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is also known as "the festival of the sacred pitcher" and has deep roots in Hindu stories. According to a legend, gods and demons fought over a pitcher of immortal nectar, and four drops fell to Earth. These drops landed in Prayagraj, Nashik, Haridwar, and Ujjain. Now, these cities take turns hosting the Kumbh Mela every three years.
The unique nature of this years’ festival is also highlighted by the Hindustan Times, which reported that “The Maha Kumbh is a form of Poorna Kumbh, which is held once in 144 years. In a rare occurrence, the Moon, Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter align together, making the Maha Kumbh the most auspicious Kumbh Mela and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whether you’re religious or just curious, this is not a chance you should miss.”
Pilgrims bathe in the Triveni Sangam, where three sacred rivers meet, to purify themselves and move closer to spiritual freedom. The event gathers holy men, called sadhus, who also come to perform special rituals like the 'Shahi Snaan' and join grand processions.
The government of Uttar Pradesh has extensively prepared for the millions of visitors ahead of the festival. A temporary tent city covering 4,000 hectares has been built, with 160,000 tents and 150,000 toilets. To help people with travels, 3,000 special trains, 13,100 train services, 7,000 buses, and 550 shuttle buses have been arranged. New roads, flyovers, and 30 floating bridges have also been created.
Safe drinking water is available through a 776-mile-long pipeline, and sanitation is a top priority. With millions expected daily, officials are focusing on safety and managing the large crowds.
The festival is more than just a religious event, it is also a colorful cultural experience. In 2017 UNESCO recognized it as an “intangible cultural heritage of humanity.” Indian Prime Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi has invited people from all over the world to attend the festival and experience the cultural heritage.
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 will continue until February 26.
Earlier it was reported that Japan’s production of sake and "shochu" distilled spirits were approved for addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
