Maha Kumbh 2025: 15 million devotees gather for the holy dip on the first day.

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The Maha Kumbh 2025, recognized as the largest religious congregation globally, commenced on January 13, heralding a significant 45-day spiritual celebration that will extend until February 26. This festival takes place at the revered Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the legendary Saraswati rivers, and has already attracted a substantial number of devotees. On the inaugural day, approximately 15 million participants engaged in the sacred bathing ritual, coinciding with the auspicious Paush Purnima festival. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his congratulations to the attendees and expressed appreciation for the efforts of those involved in organizing the event. In his address, he acknowledged the contributions of the Maha Kumbh Mela Administration, Prayagraj Administration, UP Police, municipal officials, and volunteers, including Ganga Sevadoots and Swachhagrahis, emphasizing the importance of their roles. He expressed hope that the virtuous actions undertaken during the festival would yield spiritual benefits for all participants.

The state government has implemented comprehensive arrangements for the Maha Kumbh, encompassing a vast area of 10,000 acres. Essential facilities include 150,000 toilets, 15,000 sanitation workers, 25,000 on-site personnel, 69,000 LED lights, and 2,750 cameras for crowd monitoring. To bolster security, underwater drones and AI-enabled cameras have been deployed, with over 10,000 security personnel, including local police and paramilitary forces, assigned to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. Furthermore, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has stationed water ambulances at the Sangam to provide continuous medical assistance.The Railway Ministry has allocated approximately Rs 50 billion over the last three years to enhance infrastructure, which includes the construction of new platforms, the doubling of railway lines, and the improvement of facilities to accommodate the surge of pilgrims. The Indian Railways is operating 13,000 trains, including 3,000 special services, to facilitate seamless transportation for the devotees.