- विज्ञापन -
Prayagraj: Devotees from all over the country gathered in large numbers at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj early Wednesday morning for the final ‘Snan’ of the Maha Kumbh, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri. Drone footage captured a vast sea of devotees taking a holy dip on this significant day.
One devotee shared her joy with ANI, saying, “I can’t put my feelings into words… We came here with great excitement because it’s the last day of the Maha Kumbh. We feel blessed to have the grace of Maa Ganga.”
The first Amrit Snan took place on Paush Purnima on January 13, followed by Snan on Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), Basant Panchami (February 3), Maghi Purnima (February 12), and the final Snan on February 26, which is also Maha Shivaratri.
Various Akharas, including Niranjani Akhada, Ahwan Akhada, and Juna Akhada—the largest in the Sanyasi tradition—participated in the Maha Kumbh. These religious orders of monks belong to different sects such as Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Udasi, each led by a head known as ‘Mahamandaleshwar.’
In anticipation of the large influx of devotees, the Prayagraj District administration has deployed additional forces and coordinated with railway and airport authorities for better management. District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar highlighted their preparations to manage traffic and parking efficiently, ensuring a smooth experience for the attendees. “Tomorrow is the last ‘Snan’ on Maha Shivratri. We are prepared with all necessary arrangements, including extra forces on significant ‘Snan’ days and good coordination with transport authorities,” he stated.
Maha Shivaratri, also known as the great night of Shiva, is a significant festival for spiritual growth, symbolizing the triumph over darkness and ignorance. It commemorates the divine marriage of Lord Shiva, the destroyer, with Goddess Parvati, the embodiment of fertility, love, and beauty, also referred to as Shakti (power). According to Hindu mythology, on their wedding night, Lord Shiva was accompanied by various gods, goddesses, animals, and demons to Goddess Parvati’s home. The union of Shiva and Shakti represents love, power, and unity, celebrated with great fervor across India.
On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on X that over 1.30 crore devotees had participated that day, with a total of more than 63.36 crore devotees taking a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam during the Maha Kumbh 2025, which he described as a living symbol of India’s faith and unity. He extended heartfelt congratulations to the saints and devotees who experienced the sacred bath during this ‘Mahayagna’ of unity.
To manage the significant number of devotees on the final day, extensive sanitation and cleanliness initiatives have been launched. A new Guinness World Record was set with 15,000 sanitation workers participating in a cleanliness drive across multiple locations, with the final results expected to be announced on February 27.
Additionally, Indian Railways has arranged for over 350 extra trains from Prayagraj to help pilgrims return after the final Amrit Snan on February 26. This comes in response to the unprecedented demand for transportation from a large gathering of devotees from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway, and Northern Railway have been put on high alert for the anticipated rush. During Mouni Amavasya, over 360 special trains were deployed to safely transport more than 20 lakh passengers, and similar arrangements are in place for Maha Shivaratri, with extra rakes available near Prayagraj for emergencies.
Railway officials have developed an internal movement plan at Prayagraj Junction to guide pilgrims to specific shelters based on their destinations before directing them to their respective trains. In case of overcrowding, emergency procedures will direct passengers to holding areas like Khusro Bagh before safely escorting them to boarding platforms.
Meanwhile, in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district, large numbers of devotees also arrived at the Shri Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Mandir for Maha Shivaratri, and many visited the Shiv Murti Temple in Mahipalpur.
