Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 LIVE: 70 Lakh Devotees Take Holy Dip On MAHA KUMBH Day 1

Sadhvi Bhagwati, a US-based spiritual leader, has urged people worldwide to attend the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.

“When we take the first dip, we won't just take a dip in the Sangam, we will also take a dip within our inner selves,” she said, encouraging people to overcome fears of large crowds.

“Come with your faith, your devotion—it is such a beautiful day,” Sadhvi Bhagwati added, inviting devotees to experience the profound spiritual atmosphere of the Maha Kumbh.

Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Uma Bharti lauded the arrangements at the ongoing Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, terming them the best she has witnessed since attending the event in 1977.

“I have never seen such excellent arrangements, security, facilities, and the remarkably polite demeanour of the administration and police towards pilgrims. Blessed is India, blessed is Shri Prayagraj, and blessed is this divine Maha Kumbh,” Bharti wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Commending Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, she added, “On behalf of crores of Indians, I congratulate Yogi Adityanath ji for these outstanding preparations and successful management of this grand spiritual event.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his congratulations to the saints, Kalpvasis, and devotees who participated in the first bathing festival of Maha Kumbh 2025 on the auspicious occasion of 'Paush Purnima.'

He highlighted the overwhelming response, saying, “On the first bathing festival today, 1.50 crore Sanatan believers earned the holy benefit of bathing in the uninterrupted and clean Triveni.”

The CM also expressed gratitude to the various departments and organizations involved in ensuring the event's success. “Heartfelt thanks to all the departments of the Central and State Governments associated with Mahakumbh, including the Mahakumbh Mela Administration, Prayagraj Administration, UP Police, Municipal Corporation Prayagraj, Swachhagrahis, Ganga Sevadoots, Kumbh Sahayaks, religious-social organizations, various voluntary organizations, and friends from the media world,” he said.

Encouraging continued participation, Yogi added, “May the good deeds bear fruit, let us go to the Maha Kumbh.”

The Bihar Motor Transport Federation has appealed to the governments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for tax relief during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, which began in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday.

In a letter to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Federation President Uday Shankar Prasad Singh sought a waiver on "permit" and "entry tax" for buses transporting pilgrims from Bihar to Prayagraj.

The move aims to ease financial burdens on operators facilitating travel to one of the world's largest religious gatherings.

"According to the data taken two hours ago, more than 70 lakh pilgrims had done 'snaan'. This number is likely to go above 1 crore... Regular movement of trains is being seen at the 9 railway stations. Pilgrims are continuously coming in... Not just Indian pilgrims, but pilgrims from other countries are also coming in large numbers... The Mela administration and police team are actively working to ensure a smooth run during today and tomorrow's 'snaan'... Our four major zones- Nagvasuki, Jhonsi, Naini, and Sangam Kshetra have been activated for the 'snaan' for the ease of all those coming to the Mahakumbh... The Akharas have been given priority for 'snaan' in the Sangam Kshetra... I urge everyone to cooperate in maintaining the cleanliness of the ghats and the river..." said DM Prayagraj Ravindra Kumar Mandar.

A Russian devotee, who arrived at Maha Kumbh Mela, said they could see "real India" at the site. "...'Mera Bharat Mahaan'... India is a great country. We are here at Kumbh Mela for the first time. Here we can see the real India - the true power lies in the people of India. I am shaking because of the vibe of the people of this holy place. I love India..." she said.

READ MORE- 'Feels I Was Indian In Previous Birth': Foreign Devotees At MahaKumbh Call India 'Spiritual Heart of World'

On Mahakumbh 2025, the spiritual head of the Rishikesh-based Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Chidanand Saraswati says, "The happiness I have seen on the faces of people who took holy dip on Paush Poornima today was incredible. Paush Purnima should be dedicated to conserving our rivers and environment. PM Modi has also said 'Ek Ped Maa ke naam'. One must go back with the resolution to conserve rivers and plant trees."

Maha Kumbh Mela: Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said, "It is an auspicious festival and a large number of people are arriving there. I heartily welcome all the devotees. From security to health, the Uttar Pradesh government has made all arrangements to deal with every situation."

Maha Kumbh Mela DIG Vaibhav Krishna said, "Around 50 lakh people have taken a holy dip so far. Official figures will be released soon. All the arrangements have been taken care of. Crowd regulation is going on. We have enough space for the parking of vehicles. Central and State police forces are deployed here and we are ready to tackle any kind of situation..."

Nearly 60 lakh devotees have gathered in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh for holy dip on the first day of Maha Kumbh mela. "Maha Kumbh 2025 has begun today, with about 60 lakh people taking a holy dip. This year, it is a blend of faith and modernity," said Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar.

"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. The Maha Kumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony..." said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X.

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar said, "Maha Kumbh 2025 has started today, about 60 lakh people have taken a holy dip, this time it is a confluence of faith and modernity. Apart from the traditional police system, we have given better arrangements to the devotees by using more and more technology... Today there will also be 'Pushp Varsha'. Everything is going on smoothly and uninterruptedly... All the arrangements are being made to ensure that this time the Kumbh is grand, divine, digital and safe."

MahaKumbh 2025 is the biggest event to be held on the Earth in recent history and one will be able to attend it only once as it will return after 144 years. The religious gathering of Kumbh takes place in three parts:

Ardh Kumbh: Held every six years.

MahaKumbh: Every 144 years.

The gathering takes place in one of the four cities of: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain (the cities where drops of nectar of immortality fell) and the places are decided based on the position of Jupiter.

The MahaKumbh Mela will now be held after 144 years which means, the next time it will be held in 2169 and the Mela will see every new individual. This means, no one can attend two MahaKumbhs in one lifetime.

Why 144 Years - READ IN DETAILS
MahaKumbh mela is held when the Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Saturn align with each other - which happens once every 144 years. So the next time it will be in 2169.

It is said that Jupiter, Saturn, Sun and Moon were tasked to safeguard the nectar from Asuras and then, these four formed a rare celestial Nakshatras configuration. According to mythology, then four sages namely Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan, and Sanatkumar decided to camp in Prayag beginning the Kumbh Mela.

A devotee from South Africa's Cape Town at Maha Kumbh2025, Nikki says, "It's very very powerful and we are very blessed to be here at river Ganga." Another devotee said, "It's so beautiful. The streets are clean, the people are so friendly and happy... We practice Sanatan Dharm..."

Over 50,000 QR codes are being installed on electricity poles across the Maha Kumbh Mela area, spanning 25 sectors, to assist pilgrims in identifying their location and registering complaints related to electricity issues, a minister of the Uttar Pradesh government said.

As Maha Kumbh Mela begins on January 13, Uttar Pradesh has implemented a comprehensive 7-layer security scheme to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the largest religious gathering in the world. Inspector General of Police, Prayagraj, Tarun Gaba, emphasized the importance of providing robust security, stating, "Maha Kumbh 2025 is the biggest gathering of humanity... Our commitment is to provide good arrangements, ensuring the festival is celebrated in a safe and orderly manner. We are ensuring an impenetrable and foolproof security system."

Maha Kumbh, the grand spiritual festival, begun on Monday (January 13) with the auspicious Paush Purnima bath, marking the start of one month of 'Kalpvas' at the Sangam in Prayagraj. As devotees immerse themselves in the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati, lakhs of them will also observe the ancient tradition of Kalpvas at the Sangam.