Authorities implemented stringent security measures, managing massive crowds with AI-powered surveillance, drone monitoring, and increased police presence. While the Mela area has already been declared a no-vehicle zone for the next few days, the Prayagraj administration has also made an appeal to local residents to avoid using four wheelers and opt for two wheelers only if carrying senior citizens to the Sangam.

The railways is running 360 trains, including 190 special trains, to accommodate the unprecedented influx of pilgrims. “The special trains are being run in three zones — Northern Railway, North Eastern Railway and North Central Railway — to manage the massive influx of devotees,” Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board said.

The Uttar Pradesh government has deployed more than 1,000 medical professionals in the Maha Kumbh area, apart from provisions for minor to major surgeries in every sector of the fair area, an official statement said. Additionally, 300 specialist doctors are stationed at a super-specialty hospital in the Mahakumbh Nagar to handle any emergency situations.

New Delhi:

On a three-day visit to the Maha Kumbh, Philanthropist Sudha Murty helped serve the Mahaprasad in the ISKCON camp at Prayagraj. Wearing a green saree, and a black bag on her shoulders, Ms Murty is seen standing at the food counter, distributing chapattis to devotees visiting the Maha Kumbh.

Prayagraj | #Watch: Sudha Murthy helps serve the Mahaprasad in the ISKCON camp at Prayagraj#MahaKumbh2025 pic.twitter.com/NJjWykSxn8

— NDTV (@ndtv) January 22, 2025

In another video, Ms Murty is seen taking a tour of the ISKCON Mahaprasadam Kitchen and interacting with the volunteers, understanding how the food is prepared using machines.

Prayagraj | #Watch: Sudha Murthy touring the ISKCON Mahaprasadam Kitchen at Mahakumbh 2025, Prayagraj.#MahaKumbh2025 pic.twitter.com/whSSmzCMiz

— NDTV (@ndtv) January 22, 2025

Adani Group in collaboration with ISKCON is distributing Mahaprasad to more than 40 thousand devotees every day in the Maha Kumbh Mela area. ISKCON has undertaken the task of preparing the Mahaprasad in its kitchen built in Sector 19 of Prayagraj.

The kitchen, used to prepare Mahaprasad, is equipped with modern facilities like boilers to heat water and boil vegetables and rice. Tracks have been laid to carry heavy food containers. Three big machines have been installed to make rotis. Together, these machines prepare 10,000 rotis in an hour.

Excited Ms Murty arrived in Prayagraj on Monday. Calling Maha Kumbh a “Teerthraj”, Ms Murty said, “I am happy, excited and hopeful.”

Ms Murty took a holy dip in the Sangam on the first two days of her visit and intends to take it on the last day as well. Speaking to the news agency ANI, she said, “My maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother, grandfather, none of them could come – that is why I have to offer tarpan in their name and I am very happy…”

People visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela take a holy dip at Sangam Triveni, believed to wash away their sins. The religious congregation which began on January 13 will continue till February 26 and is expected to host 45 crore people.

New Delhi:

Spiritual orator and motivational speaker Jaya Kishori has appealed to the youth to experience the Maha Kumbh at Sangam to “achieve peace, happiness and bliss”. In an exclusive interview with NDTV on the sidelines of Maha Kumbh 2025 in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, Ms Kishori shared her “surreal” experience of taking a dip in the Sangam for the first time. She believes she is “blessed” to do “Amrit Snan”.

Before the Snan (bath), Ms Kishori experienced a mix of nervousness and excitement but tension vanished as soon as she took the dip, she said, and added, “You feel calmness from within. You feel a different kind of energy within you, a positive one, and I think this is what every youth is struggling towards.”

Ms Kishori said that today’s youth want permanent happiness. “What we call in our shastras, anand; not maza or masti, anand. If you want that, please attend these kinds of things … You will find something very different, but a very positive and enriching experience.”

Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest gathering of humanity, began on January 13 and will culminate on February 26. Held once every 12 years, people attend Maha Kumbh to take a dip in the sacred waters, believed to wash away sins and purify the soul. This year, Maha Kumbh is expected to host around 45 crore people over the 45 days celebration.

In October last year, Ms Kishori received huge backlash for carrying a custom Dior “Book Tote” worth over Rs. 2 lakh. Known for her teachings on non-materialism and spiritual growth, Ms Kishori spoke about blending materialism with spirituality and gave an example of Arjuna.

“In Bhagavad Gita, not once Arjuna said that you have to leave everything or you have to leave the kingdom. He was taught to fight and live up to his dharma (religion). And, his dharma was to fight. If you are a student, your dharma is to study. Not that you don’t have to earn money through that. Everybody is working towards money,” she said.

Ms Kishori further explained that one has two options after student life – grihastha (householder) and vairagya (detachment). “If you are opting for grihastha, you should have a materialistic life. Buying something is not a problem. It is when things buy you. With money, you can take your country forward. But keep spirituality with you.”

In March 2024, the spiritual orator received the ‘Best Creator Award for Social Change’ from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She was praised for blending modernism with spirituality.

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh):

As the Maha Kumbh begins in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, the crowd at the holy Sangam keeps attracting eyeballs as seers and saints, with unique names, showcase their talents.

Starting from Chhotu and Chabhi Wale Baba to Bavander and Splendor Baba, now ‘Kaante Wale Baba’, also known as Ramesh Kumar Manjhi, has become a major attraction at Maha Kumbh.

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.

#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

Meanwhile, a 21-member delegation from 10 countries on Wednesday evening arrived at Arail Tent City in Prayagraj. The delegation is scheduled to take a holy dip at Triveni Sangam.

The delegation, invited by the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, will take a sacred dip at Triveni Sangam on January 16.

The visiting group includes representatives from Fiji, Finland, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This showcases the global interest in this spiritual event, which is a symbol of India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

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.

Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh:

Millions of devotees took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on Tuesday morning, marking the first ‘Amrit Snan’ (bath) of the Maha Kumbh 2025. Many foreign devotees also immersed themselves in the sacred tradition and sang ‘bhajans’. 

Held once every 12 years, people attend Maha Kumbh to take a dip in the sacred waters, believed to wash away sins and purify the soul.

Maha Kumbh, dubbed the largest gathering of humanity in the world, is expected to bring more than 40 crore people to Prayagraj, which is more than the population of the US and Russia. The event has been set up at around 4,000 hectares and will continue till February 26. Massive security arrangements have also been made across the city, including AI cameras and underwater drones.

Here are the live updates on Maha Kumbh 2025: