Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Live Updates: Cylinder blasts spark massive blaze at Maha Kumbh; 'situation under control', say authorities

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath took immediate note of the fire incident and visited the site. He interacted with officials and fire-fighting teams present at the location to assess the situation.

"The fire has been extinguished. No casualties have been reported. Everyone is safe. The cause is said to be a cylinder blast, but further investigation is yet to be done in this regard," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and spoke to UP CM Yogi Adityanath after a massive fire broke out at Maha Kumbh mela. The fire has been brought under control.

"Unfortunately, a fire broke out at the Geeta Press camp. It is reported that around 70-80 huts and 8-10 tents have been burnt. There are no reports of any casualties. Everyone has been rescued safely. The fire has been extinguished," he said.

Maha Kumbh Mela DIG Vaibhav Krishna reported a survey is currently underway to assess the extent of the damage caused by the fire.

Krishna assured that the fire has been brought under control and stated that the cause of the incident is under investigation.

He also mentioned that only the tents and some belongings were damaged in the blaze.

"...The fire broke out in tents of Gita Press. There are no reports of any casualties. A survey is being conducted to ascertain the damage caused by the fire. The fire has been brought under control. It is a matter of investigation (cause behind the fire incident ). Only tents and some things have been burnt," he said.

Ravindra Kumar, District Magistrate of Prayagraj, confirmed that the fire broke out at 4.30pm in Sector 19, within the Gita Press tent at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The fire spread to 10 nearby tents. Police and administration teams responded quickly, and the fire has since been extinguished. Kumar added that there have been no reports of casualties, and the situation is now under control.

"The fire broke out at 4.30 pm in sector 19 in the tent of Gita press. The fire spread to the nearby 10 tents. The police and administration team reached the spot. The fire has been extinguished. There is no information of any casualty. The situation is under control," he said.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the fire incident that occurred at the Maha Kumbh mela 2025 in Prayagraj. Fire tenders were promptly deployed to the site, and the blaze has now been brought under control. Senior officers are on the scene following the instructions of the chief minister, according to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

"Two cylinders exploded in Sector 19 of the Maha Kumbh Mela, causing a massive fire in the camps. Fire fighters are trying to douse the blaze," Akhara Police Station In-charge Bhaskar Mishra said.

A massive fire broke out at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Some tents were gutted in fire. Fire fighting operations are on.

A massive temporary city spanning 10,000 acres, with over a crore of pilgrims and seers residing simultaneously and around 20 lakh visitors daily, is being closely monitored by the Integrated Control Command Centre (ICCC) to ensure smooth crowd management. Over 400 personnel in each of the four ICCCs are vigilantly watching big screens that display live footage and data from hotspots, helping to monitor crowd density and pilgrim flow. The surveillance network is supported by more than 3,000 cameras, underwater drones, and a dedicated force of over 60,000 personnel on the ground.

This mega-religious event, held every 12 years, began in Prayagraj on January 13 and will continue for 45 days. So far, over seven crore pilgrims have taken a holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the gathering at Parmarth Ashram during the Maha Kumbh, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to witness the spiritual event. He remarked, "On this sacred land of Prayagraj, during the auspicious Maha Kumbh event, the auspicious Katha organised by Parmarth Bapu ji is being held here. I consider myself fortunate to get the opportunity to witness this Katha and have darshan of Pujya Morari Bapu ji."

According to official data from the Uttar Pradesh government, over 1.7 million pilgrims visited the Maha Kumbh Mela by 8am on Sunday.

On the seventh day of the grand event, a massive gathering of devotees convened at Sangam Triveni. By the early hours, 10 lakh Kalpvasis and 7.02 lakh pilgrims had taken a sacred dip. Cumulatively, as of January 18, the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 has witnessed over 77.2 million devotees performing the ritual at Sangam Triveni.

Ahead of the scheduled state cabinet meeting on January 22, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit the Maha Kumbh Mela on Sunday.

The CM is set to arrive at the DPS helipad around noon and will head directly to the camp of Swami Chidhanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan. Following this, he will visit the tourism department exhibition and the ODOP exhibition. The visit will also include a tour of the walk-through police gallery and the Constitution Gallery.

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet is set to hold its fourth meeting outside Lucknow on January 22 at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. Following the meeting, ministers are expected to take a holy dip at the Sangam, a government spokesperson stated.

“The agenda for the meeting is being drawn, but one can expect some significant decisions, including for Prayagraj. There may also be some announcement regarding a major infrastructure project like an expressway or a bridge. After the cabinet meeting, the ministers will take a dip in the Ganga,” an official said.

A delegation representing India’s global outreach initiative met with tech billionaire Elon Musk at SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas. During the visit, the delegation extended an invitation to Musk to attend Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering, in Prayagraj.

In a significant step for women’s empowerment and inclusiveness, over 1,000 women will be inducted into various Akharas after receiving ‘deeksha,’ as 13 Akharas prepare to honor the traditions of Sanatan Dharma during the upcoming Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya.

This year marks a transformative moment as Akharas welcome a new generation of ascetics through the ‘diksha’ ceremony, with an unprecedented rise in female participation. The event is set to make history at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, as it witnesses the largest-ever number of women ascetics receiving ‘deeksha.’

In a significant initiative to keep devotees and pilgrims informed, Akashvani's Kumbhvani News Bulletins are now being broadcast live through the public address system in Mahakumbh Nagar in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The first Kumbhvani News Bulletin was aired on the public address system today, i.e., 18.01.2025, at 8:30 am, said a press release from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

The Kumbhvani news bulletins will be broadcast three times a day, at 8:30-8:40 am, 2:30-2:40 pm, and 8:30-8:40 pm, providing updates on various activities related to the Mahakumbh Mela. Additionally, devotees can also tune in to Kumbhvani news bulletins on the 103.5 MHz frequency in Prayagraj. The dedicated Kumbh news bulletins are also broadcast on the NewsonAIR app, the Waves OTT platform and are made available on Akashvani's official YouTube channel, News on AIR Official, the release stated.

This initiative has been well received by the devotees and pilgrims, with many terming it a "noble initiative to get informed about the Mahakumbh.". Tanu Sharma, a resident of Prayagraj, says, "Akashvani's Kumbh bulletins are trustworthy, precise and informative."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Saturday and said it is "a spiritual and cultural mega festival of Indianness," a statement from the Uttar Pradesh government read. Singh, accompanied by BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, was welcomed at Bamrauli Airport by Uttar Pradesh Minister Nand Gopal Gupta.

The Defence Minister first took a dip at the holy Sangam -- the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers -- amid the chanting of mantras. They also sipped the waters of the Ganga and offered prayers to Lord Surya, the statement added.

"I consider it my good fortune to have taken a bath in the Prayagraj Sangam today. This is a spiritual and cultural mega festival of Indianness. It should not be seen in association with any sect, community, or religion. If anyone wants to understand India and Indianness, they should come and see the Maha Kumbh," Singh remarked.

The Defence Minister is also scheduled to meet with Army officials to discuss security arrangements for the Maha Kumbh, the statement added.

After landing at VIP Ghat from the Sangam, he visited and worshipped at Chhatra Akshayvat in the Akshayvat Corridor. He then visited the Patalpuri Temple and Saraswati Koop.

The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj continues to draw record crowds, with over 2.5 million pilgrims visiting the event on the sixth day by 4 PM, according to official data. Of these, more than 1 million Kalpvasis and 3.5 million devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

As of Friday, 17th January, the grand religious gathering has welcomed over 73 million pilgrims since its commencement, making it one of the largest public gatherings in the world.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who participated in the rituals on the sixth day, described the Maha Kumbh as a celebration of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage rooted in Sanatan Dharma and the ancient Vedic astronomical traditions.

Singh said, "I consider it my good fortune that the almighty has given me this opportunity. Today, after taking a bath in the Sangam, I feel very fulfilled. This festival is a festival of Indian culture and spiritual experience of Sanatan Dharma, which is based on the ancient Vedic astronomical event... This is a confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati with the spiritual, scientific aspect of Sanatan Dharma as well as social harmony..."

The defence minister also praised Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath for successfully organising the world’s largest religious congregation, lauding his efforts to ensure a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for millions of devotees.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, based on an ancient Vedic astronomical event, continues to be a remarkable showcase of faith, tradition, and unity, drawing pilgrims and visitors from across India and the world.

On Friday, Ayodhya Commissioner Gaurav Dayal announced special arrangements to manage the large number of devotees visiting the Shri Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya, following the Maha Kumbh celebrations. Dayal highlighted that the influx of visitors is expected to rise significantly, with large crowds anticipated after the holy bath during Mauni Amavasya on January 29.

Speaking to ANI, Commissioner Dayal said, "Devotees who attended the Maha Kumbh are now visiting the Ayodhya temple. After the holy baths, a surge in crowds is noticeable here. We expect even larger crowds after the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya on January 29."

"The trend shows that more devotees are set to visit Ayodhya in the coming days. We are making necessary arrangements with this in mind. Yesterday, we reviewed the situation with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, focusing on expanding the Darshan capacity and managing the crowds leading to the Ram Lalla temple. We’re also ensuring facilities for the cold weather," he added.

The Trust has been working on these preparations, and a meeting of the standing committee on security is scheduled for January 18 to discuss further steps.

Following the successful completion of Paush Purnima and Makar Sankranti, the Yogi Adityanath government is now fully focused on preparations for the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya, set for January 29, as per official statements.

To strengthen arrangements, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar visited the Mahakumbh area on Thursday and chaired a high-level review meeting at the ICC auditorium. Singh emphasized that previous festival arrangements were commendable but required further refinement.

During the review, Singh instructed that all preparations should be completed promptly. He directed sector magistrates, police, and officials from all departments to be present in all sectors. Additionally, the review focused on security arrangements, where guidelines were provided to ensure adequate police presence at key locations, including the fairground.

Over 2.5 million devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on the fifth day of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. By 2 pm on Friday, over 1 million Kalpavasis and 1.5 million pilgrims had already visited the Mela. As of January 16, more than 70 million devotees had taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, according to official data.

Meanwhile, to prevent any disruptions, a prohibitory order has been issued in the district, lasting until February 28. The Additional Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, announced these orders under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, which includes restrictions during upcoming festivals and examinations, such as Mahakumbh 2025, Republic Day, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Sant Ravidas Jayanti, and others.

The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. Key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), February 3 (Basant Panchami), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).

Under chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, the grand Mahakumbh is being organised at the sacred Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. This extraordinary event celebrates the values of unity, equality, and harmony while showcasing the timeless essence of Sanatan Dharma.

Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Mahakumbh transcends barriers of caste, creed, language, and sect. Millions of pilgrims from across India gather to take a holy dip at the Sangam, seek blessings from sages, and participate in rituals. The event symbolises spiritual unity, drawing people from all walks of life.

The Mahakumbh also highlights the cultural diversity of India. Devotees share meals in community kitchens (Bhandaras), where people sit together irrespective of differences, emphasising the spirit of inclusion. Sages and saints from various sects, including Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism, perform prayers, take holy dips, and interact with devotees.

Community kitchens operate day and night, offering free meals to all, reflecting the Mahakumbh’s ethos of harmony and service. The tradition of Kalpavas, where pilgrims devote themselves to prayers and rituals, continues to unite people regardless of their social or economic status.

This spiritual confluence has amazed visitors and journalists from around the world, as it serves as a testament to the enduring unity and equality rooted in India’s cultural heritage. The Mahakumbh is not just a religious gathering; it is a living example of harmony and inclusivity.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday flagged off a special train for senior citizens under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana, aimed at fulfilling the spiritual aspirations of economically backward senior citizens in the state. The train, which departed from Bhubaneswar Railway Station, will take 775 elderly pilgrims from six districts—Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, and Dhenkanal—to famous pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra, including Shirdi and Nashik.

In total, the state government has made arrangements for 8,000 senior citizens to visit major pilgrimage sites like Sirsi, Nashik, Kolkata, Kamakhya, Ayodhya, and Varanasi in 10 phases. The train journey will also depart from Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rayagada, and Balasore in two phases, with all transportation, accommodation, and food provided for the pilgrims.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida highlighted the cultural and spiritual tourism boost this initiative offers to the poor. She added that more trains might be needed to cater to the upcoming Mahakumbh Mela, with the tourism department in discussions with the railway department to initiate additional services.

Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, has embraced the spiritual traditions of Sanatan Dharma at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Under the guidance of her Guru, Swami Kailashanand Giri, she participated in rituals and expressed her desire to fully immerse herself in Hindu teachings. Swami Giri revealed that she was initiated into the faith on Makar Sankranti and given the name Kamala, symbolising her spiritual journey. Powell Jobs, accompanied by her staff, stayed in the ashram as a devotee, maintaining a simple, vegetarian lifestyle.

The Maha Kumbh drew millions of devotees, including many foreign pilgrims, to the sacred Triveni Sangam for the first Amrit Snan on Makar Sankranti. The event showcased the unity and inclusivity of Sanatan Dharma, with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures coming together to participate in the sacred traditions. Pilgrims sang bhajans and hymns, creating a vibrant and spiritual atmosphere.

The Maha Kumbh continues to stand as a symbol of equality and devotion, where distinctions of caste, class, and nationality are forgotten in the collective spirit of faith.

Over 2.5 million devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on the fifth day of the MahaKumbh Mela in Prayagraj. By 2 pm on Friday, more than 1 million Kalpavasis and 1.5 million pilgrims had visited the festival. To maintain law and order during the various upcoming religious and cultural events, the authorities have imposed prohibitory orders in Prayagraj until February 28. The Additional Commissioner of Police cited communal sensitivity and credible information about the potential for disruption, emphasizing the need to ensure peace during key festivals like Mahakumbh, Mauni Amavasya, and Basant Panchami, among others. The festival, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26, with key bathing dates like Mauni Amavasya (January 29), Basant Panchami (February 3), Maghi Purnima (February 12), and Maha Shivaratri (February 26).

The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 saw an extraordinary turnout of devotees on 17 January 2025, with more than 25.21 lakh people participating in the sacred ritual of taking a holy dip. Among them, over 10 lakh Kalpvasis, who have committed to staying at the mela for an extended period, added to the spiritual fervour. Alongside, 15.21 lakh other pilgrims also visited the mela grounds, creating an atmosphere of devotion and unity.

This year’s Mahakumbh has already seen an incredible response, with more than 7 crore devotees taking the holy dip as of 16 January 2025.

Airfares have gone north, emerging as a major concern for pilgrims planning to visit Prayagraj for the sacred Maha Kumbh Mela, said travel companies. ixigo data revealed a significant increase in airfare. Pune-Prayagraj route is one of the worst hit, with average one-way fare shooting up to approx Rs11,800 – a 78% jump from Rs6,400 in 2024. Alternative routes to nearby airports have also witnessed a substantial increase — with the Pune-Varanasi rate climbing 35% to around Rs7,600 and Pune-Lucknow route showing a 13% rise to Rs7,300, as per ixigo data. The situation isn't any better for Mumbai travellers. While regular fares to Prayagraj are around Rs5,000-Rs6,000, it has jumped to Rs12,000-Rs17,000 for the festival period in Jan and Feb.

Due to multiple festivities and competitive examinations scheduled during the Mahakumbh Mela, 2025, the competent authority has issued a prohibitory order effective until February 28 to maintain law and order in the district. The additional commissioner of police, Prayagraj, issued an official statement on Friday, implementing prohibitory orders under Section-163 of "Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023" (Indian Civil Security Code, 2023).

• The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is now in full swing, drawing devotees from across India and around the world to partake in an unparalleled spiritual experience. Foreign visitors have described the event as an "amazing and fantastic experience," praising the "strong devotion and tradition" that define the land.
• Many international devotees visited the sacred akhadas of Naga Sadhus to seek their blessings, adding to the cultural and spiritual immersion.
• As one of the largest and most significant religious gatherings globally, the Maha Kumbh takes place every 12 years at one of four locations in India. The Maha Kumbh 2025, a Poorna Kumbh, will continue until February 26, 2025.

• Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has directed authorities to set up the Rajasthan Mandap in Prayagraj, offering free accommodation, food, and medical facilities for devotees traveling from Rajasthan to the Maha Kumbh Mela.
• "Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that Kumbh has special significance in Indian culture. Kumbh is said to provide all the siddhis. Maha Kumbh Mela, being organized after a gap of 12 years, will continue till 26 February in Prayagraj," as per an official release.
• "Extensive arrangements have been ensured at the state government level so that the devotees of Rajasthan participating in this fair, including the royal bath of Moni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Magh Purnima and Mahashivratri, can get the benefits of virtue without any hassle. He appealed to the devotees to take advantage of these arrangements and enjoy the divine experience by taking a holy bath, darshan and worship at the Triveni Sangam of Mahakumbh," chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

The banks of the Ganga are alive with music as the 'Sanskriti ka Sangam' program, organized by the Department of Culture at Mahakumb, continues.

Leaders from the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit distributed copies of the Constitution to sanitation workers at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. They emphasized that the religious gathering in Prayagraj symbolizes unity, a value upheld by the Constitution. As part of its "Samvidhan Gaurav Abhiyan" — a nationwide campaign marking 75 years of the Indian Constitution — the BJP is honoring Dalits across the state.

Students from nine colleges in Prayagraj are being trained in folk songs, folk dance, and other cultural arts by the state culture department. These trained students will showcase their talents at a cultural event during the Maha Kumbh.

“Yogi govt is providing a platform for every skilled person to showcase their talent at the Maha Kumbh. Not only Bollywood stars or celebrities, but schoolchildren will also have a global stage to perform during the fair. The culture department is conducting specialised training in nine disciplines at nine Prayagraj colleges, which will conclude on Jan 22,” said a senior govt official.