Back
PremiumMahakumbh 2025 Highlights: More than 60 lakh devotees took a holy dip at Sangam on Monday, as one of the world's largest spiritual events began in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The first Shahi Snan of Mhakumbh was held on Paush Purnima today.
Sangam is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mystical Saraswati rivers. Given the massive number of devotees it is set to attract throughout the 45-day festival, the religious event will also give a massive boost to local trade.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended wishes over the beginning of the religious festival and said "Mahakumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony."
Several foreign visitors also attended Mahakumbh on Monday. Many even took holy dip in water despite cold weather.
Praveen Khandelwal Secretary General of CAIT, on Monday, said that the spiritual event is likely to generate a large scale economic and trade activities.
"An estimate suggests that with an average expenditure of ₹5,000 per person during religious travel, the total spending will exceed ₹2 lakh crore. This includes spending on hotels, guesthouses, temporary accommodations, food, religious items, healthcare, and other services," said Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of CAIT.
When will Mahakumbh begin?
Mahakumbh Mela began in Prayagraj today, January 13 and will conclude on February 26, 2025. The religious event is likely to attract millions of pilgrims seeking spiritual purification.
When will Mahakumbh 2025 end?
After beginning in January, Mahakumbh Mela 2025 will conclude on February 26.
Why is Mahakumbh 2025 is so special?
Kumbh Mela occurs every three years in four different locations. However, Mahakumbh is organised only in Prayagraj after every twelve years. Additionally, Mahakumbh 2025 is more special not only because of its religious significance but also because of the rare celestial alignment that occurs only once every 144 years.
Key Shahi Snan Mahakumbh 2025 dates:
January 13 - Paush Purnima Snan today (Opening Day)
January 15 - Makar Sankranti Snan
January 29 - Mauni Amavasya Snan (Royal Bath/Shahi Snan)
February 3 - Basant Panchami Snan (Royal Bath/Shahi Snan)
February 12 - Maghi Purnima Snan
February 26 - Maha Shivratri Snan (Concluding Day)
Mahakumbh helpline number
In case a tourist needs any help or want any information related to Mahakumbh Mela, he or she can contact the Ministry of Tourism to a dedicated toll-free Tourist infoline number, ie 1800111363 or 1363.
The toll-free tourist infoline will operate in Hindi, English, and other national and international languages.
Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: Saints of Shri Panchayati Akhara Bada Udasin led a procession in Prayagraj on Sanday. A 100-foot-long tricolour was a part of the procession.
Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: Aniruddhacharya Maharaj urged devotees to visit Prayagraj on this auspicious occasion and seek blessings, "All of you should came here and seek blessings of the saints. This opportunity does not come always. The 'Kumbh snan' gives us a chance to wash all our sins," PTI quoted Aniruddhacharya Maharaj as saying.
Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: An aerial view of Sangam on Sunday, a day before Mahakumbh Mela will kickstart Nagar in Parayagraj.
Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs arrived in Prayagraj on Sunday and visited Spiritual leader Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj's Ashram.
Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: Union Minister and MP from Udhampur Jitendra Singh said that railway authorities will run three special trains between Katra and Prayagraj.
In a post on X Singh wrote, "Pleased to share that Railway Authorities have planned 3 Special Trains to and fro #Katra-Prayagraj for convenience of those attending the #Mahakumbh. First Special Train has been finalised for 24/01/2025 which will leave Katra Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station for Prayagraj and return from #Prayagraj to Katra on 26/01/2025."
Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs visited spiritual leader Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj's Ashram on Sunday.
Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: As per PTI report, thirteen Akharas of seers hailing from different sects will be participating in Mahakumbh 2025.
Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: The Mahakumbh 2025 will kick-off on January 13 and will conclude on February 26.
Important dates for main bathing rituals (Shahi Snan) are January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).
Maha Kumbh: The Maha Kumbh is not celebrated every year, instead it takes place once every 12 years, making it a special and cherished occasion for all devotees.
This year, the event is expected to draw over 45 crore devotees. The pilgrims will gather at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati during the event and take a dip in the holy waters.
Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: At the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, the Jal Jeevan Mission has set up 'Swachh Sujal Gaon' stall focussed on Uttar Pradesh's rural transformation.
Jal Jivan Mission Uttar Pradesh advisor Radhakrishan Tripathi said that the theme for the stall is “Piya Jal Ka Samadhan Mere Gaon Ki Nayi Pehchan," ANI reported.
Through this stall, the department attempts to showcase contrasting condition of Bundelkhand of 2017 with present day.
Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: Kumbh Mela occurs in every three years in four different locations. However, Mahakumbh is organised only in Prayagraj after every twelve years. Additionally, Mahakumbh 2025 is more special because of the rare celestial alignment occurring only once in 144 years.
Mahakumbh Mela LIVE: Ahead of the ongoing Mahakumbh festival, Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that the Railway Authorities have planned three special trains to and for Katra-Prayagraj for the convenience of those attending the ‘Mahakumbh’ festival.
According to Singh's tweet, the first special train has been finalised for 24th January. On that day it will leave Katra Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Railway Station for Prayagraj and return from Prayagraj to Katra on 26th January..."
Mahakumbh Mela LIVE: To spread information about Mahakumbh Mela on social media, the Ministry of Tourism is using special hashtags like #Mahakumbh2025 and #SpiritualPrayagraj on posts. The practise is aimed at encouraging more number of people to share their experiences and moments from the event.
Mahakumbh Mela LIVE: In case a tourist needs any help or want any information related to Mahakumbh Mela, he or she can contact the Ministry of Tourism to a dedicated toll-free Tourist infoline number, ie 1800111363 or 1363.
The toll-free tourist infoline will operate in Hindi, English, and other national and international languages.
Mahakumbh Mela LIVE: ‘Incredible India Pavilion’ at Mahakumbh is a sprawling 5000 square feet space for foreign tourists. It will provide all the necessary facilities and services to foreign scholars, researchers, photographers, journalists, the expat community, Indian diaspora.
Mahakumbh Mela LIVE: Late Steve Jobs' wife Laurene Powell offered prayer at temple in Varanasi on Sunday before heading towards Prayagraj for attending Mahakumbh Mela.
Mahakumbh Mela LIVE: Mahakumbh Mela will start in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025. The religious event is likely to attract millions of pilgrims seeking spiritual purification.
Mahakumbh Mela LIVE: Ganga Sevadoots will perform Namami Gange Yagna ahead of Mahakumbh Mela on Sunday. The program is scheduled to take place at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Prayagraj, reported ANI.
Mahakumbh Mela LIVE: Prayagraj Railway Division on Saturday unveiled a special song for the Mahakumbh.
"Chalo Prayagraj Mahakumbh Chalein" is dedicated to the cultural and spiritual essence of Prayagraj, it said.
"The song encapsulates the spiritual, cultural, and historical significance of Prayagraj, highlighting its timeless connection with the Maha Kumbh," the statement said.
Mahakumbh Mela LIVE: Devotees take holy dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Sunday. Despite harsh weather, the city continues to experience cold conditions and fog engulfed in the city. Visuals showed the Triveni Sangam area covered in fog.
Mahakumbh Mela LIVE: Several devotees have already started coming to Prayagraj to attend the religious event. Most of them are undeterred by the cold weather condition in the city.
A devotee, Hemlata Tiwari told ANI "It is extremely cold here but we are enjoying a lot. Devotees from all across the country come here. I am very happy that I got this opportunity..."
