Mahakumbh Mela 2025 highlights: Lakhs of devotees take holy dip in Sangam, participant count crosses 6 crore

LIVE BLOG

• 16 Jan 2025, 01:58 PM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: NDRF deploys 20 teams for Mahakumbh, ensuring advanced safety measures

  Piyush Anand, Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Thursday highlighted the extensive preparedness efforts in place for the Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj.

  Speaking to ANI, Anand emphasized that with 20 NDRF teams deployed and rigorous training conducted for various agencies, including Uttar Pradesh Police, Railways, and DRDO, authorities are fully equipped to handle potential emergencies.

  "Our 20 teams are deployed at the Maha Kumbh, and they have undergone extensive training. This is such a large event that no single agency can handle it on its own. We have gone there and conducted training exercises for people, including the UP police and Railways. We are also receiving support from the state government, Railways, and DRDO. With all these agencies working together, we are fully prepared," he said.

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 01:36 PM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: Juna Akhara's bhajan and kirtan sessions mesmerise pilgrims

  The saints of Juna Akhara, for instance, begin their day with bhajan kirtan, chanting the name of God through devotional songs throughout the day. According to these spiritual leaders, there are various forms of tapasya, sadhana and japa, some of which individuals choose to practice mentally, while others express their devotion openly.

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 12:50 PM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: 'It's a dream come true,' says foregin devotee after taking holy dip in Ganga 

   January 16, 2025

   

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 12:26 PM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: Devotees throng Sangam for holy dip, over 6 crore participants recorded so far

  On the fourth day of the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, devotees from diverse backgrounds began taking a dip in the Sangam—the confluence of the Yamuna, Ganga, and the 'mystical' Saraswati—starting at 5 am on Thursday. This event occurs as northern India experiences a cold wave accompanied by light rain, further lowering temperatures. In the first four days of the Kumbh Mela, over 6 crore devotees have already bathed in the Sangam, with projections indicating that this figure could exceed 50 crore by the conclusion of the 45-day festival.

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 11:56 AM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: Google celebrates Mahakumbh with virtual petal shower on search screen

  Google is celebrating the ongoing Maha Kumbh with a rose petal animation on its search screen.

  If one looks up 'Kumbh', 'Maha Kumbh', 'Kumbh Mela', 'Mahakumbh' or any similar iterations on Google, the screen plays an animation in the background showing a virtual shower of rose petals. Google also allows for the animation to be replayed or shared with others via email, Facebook, X, and WhatsApp. A third option allows one to dismiss the animation.

  "Google search engine uniquely celebrates the commencement of Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj. When you search Maha Kumbh it will shower petals on the screen in honour of Maha Kumbh," stated a message posted on the official X handle of the Maha Kumbh.

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 11:18 AM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: UP govt rolls out mobile labs for food quality checks

  The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the deployment of mobile laboratories to conduct food inspections at eateries in the Maha Kumbh Mela area. This initiative aims to monitor hygiene and safety standards, ensuring the well-being of pilgrims visiting the area.

   

  Assistant Food Commissioner Sushil Kumar Singh highlighted the importance of "Food Safety on Wheels" in preventing the distribution of spoiled or adulterated food to pilgrims. This initiative is a significant step towards maintaining food safety and quality standards in the region.

  "These mobile laboratories conduct on-the-spot testing of food and beverages. Regular quality checks are conducted at hotels, dhabas, and small stalls, with food safety complaints promptly addressed to ensure swift action," Singh added.

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 10:40 AM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: Sangam witnesses massive gathering as devotees take holy dip despite cold

  VIDEO | Maha Kumbh 2025: Devotees throng Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, to take holy dip amid intense cold conditions in the region. #MahaKumbh2025
  
  (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/4MXeth2kuQ

  — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 16, 2025

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 09:31 AM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: Steve Jobs' wife Laurene Powell takes spiritual initiation 

  Philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has received spiritual initiation from her guru Swami Kailashanand Giri, the seer's aide said here on Wednesday.

  Powell, who has spent three days at a camp at the Maha Kumbh, has been given the spiritual name "Kamala" by her guru.

  Swami Kailashanand Giri is the Mahamandaleshwar or head seer of Panchayati Akhada Shri Niranjani.

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 08:39 AM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: Prayagraj administration launches intensive cleaning drive after Amrit Snan

  After 'Paush Purnima' bathing ritual festival on the first day of Maha Kumbh and 'Makar Sankranti's Amrit Snan' on the second day, a large scale-cleanliness campaign has been started to clean the Sangam Ghat area.

  The dirt on the ghats is being cleaned rapidly. Cleaning workers deployed on the ghats are engaged in removing all types of dirt while a campaign to clean toilets is also being run.

  This time the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government has resolved to establish Mahakumbh as a 'Swacch Mahakumbh with special emphasis on cleanliness.

   

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 08:34 AM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: 'Kaante Wale Baba' lays down on thorns, becomes mela's new attraction

  'Kaante Wale Baba', also known as Ramesh Kumar Manjhi, has become a major attraction at Maha Kumbh.

  #WATCH | Prayagraj, UP | Ramesh Kumar Manjhi alias Kaante Wale Baba lays down on thorns at #MahaKumbh2025 in Prayagraj. pic.twitter.com/4emU9LwZv9

  — ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2025

  Lying on thorns, 'Kaante Wale Baba' amazes devotees at Prayagraj.

  "I serve the guru. Guru gave us knowledge and gave us full strength. It is all god's glory that helps me do this (lay on thorns)... I have been doing this every year for the last 40-50 years... I do it because it benefits my body... It never hurts me... I donate half of the 'dakshina' I get and use the rest to meet my expenses..., he told ANI.

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 07:04 AM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: AI-Powered lost and found centre launched for devotees

  In view of the massive influx of pilgrims attending Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, the administration has established an AI-based computerized lost and found centre.

   January 15, 2025

  Sharing details about the centre, Additional Mela Adhikari Vivek Chaturvedi told ANI, "An AI-based lost and found centre has been set up. Arrangements are made there for accommodation, clothes and food for the people who are lost... There has not been a single case in which we have not been able to reunite children or lost people with their relatives. We have received a good response from the computerised lost and found centre... If there is a case in which we have not been able to reunite a person with his relatives, then the administration takes them to their home at its own expense."

  
• 16 Jan 2025, 07:01 AM

  Mahakumbh Mela 2025 live: International contingent reaches Arail Tent City for sacred dip

  During their visit, the delegation will participate in a heritage walk to explore the rich cultural and historical legacy of Prayagraj. They will also enjoy an aerial view of the Mahakumbh area during a helicopter ride. Dinner and rest arrangements have also been made at the tent city for their convenience.

   January 15, 2025

  The statement noted that the Mahakumbh, organised under the leadership of the Yogi government, has drawn global attention this year. Their accommodations have been arranged at the Tent City in Arail, an initiative by the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation.