The most awaited Maha Kumbh Yatra began on Monday, 13th January in the city of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh with crores of Hindu devotees taking a dip in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Amid this, several foreign visitors also visited the holy site and praised the state for star arrangements of the event. The foreigners also praised the country and hailed Hinduism saying that they could see the true essence of Indianness at the Maha Kumbh.
Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest religious and cultural gathering based on scientific concepts and every Sanatani wishes to take a dip in Prayagraj Kumbh at least once in a lifetime. The holy event began today at around 3:30 am and by 9:30 am around 60 lakh devotees had already taken dip. A large number of people came across the world among which one Russian woman hailed the country for its culture.
“‘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..,” the Russian devotee said.
#WATCH | Prayagraj | A Russian devotee at #MahaKumbh2025, says, "…'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… pic.twitter.com/vyXj4m4BRs
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
Another visitor from Brazil after the holy dip said that the water at Kumbh was cold but the hearts of people were filled with warmth. “I practice Yoga and I am searching for Moksha. It’s amazing here, India is the spiritual heart of the world… Water is cold but the heart is filled with warmth,” he said.
#WATCH | Prayagraj | A Brazilian devotee at #MahaKumbh2025, Fransisco says, "I practice Yoga and I am searching for Moksha. It's amazing here, India is the spiritual heart of the world… Water is cold but the heart is filled with warmth." pic.twitter.com/as1oBQXmGl
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025
One of the devotees from South Africa stated that he was in awe of the Indian culture and people here. He said that the city where the Kumbh is being organized was clean and that the people here were friendly. “It’s so beautiful. The streets are clean, the people are so friendly and happy. Thousands and thousands of pilgrims are here and we are just enjoying their company. We practice Sanatan Dharma and we are actually loving how the holy event is being organized and managed,” he added.
#WATCH | Prayagraj | A devotee from South Africa's Cape Town at #MahaKumbh2025, says, "It's so beautiful. The streets are clean, the people are so friendly and happy… We practice Sanatan Dharm…" pic.twitter.com/Q5PUnSriuy
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, originally from Los Angeles & a graduate of Stanford University, has been living at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, for almost 30 years now. She also participated in the event. “This is not just an opportunity to take a holy dip at Sangam, this is an opportunity for people to take a holy dip in their belief in their devotion. This is the strength and greatness of Indian culture…This is neither a rock concert nor a sporting event. Who have people gathered for in such large numbers? For their devotion, for their belief. All government arrangements made here – with the strength of their devotion, PM Modi and CM Yogi, are unfathomable,” she said.
#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP: Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, originally from Los Angeles & a graduate of Stanford University, who has been living at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh for almost 30 years now participates in #PrayagrajMahakumbh2025.
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
She says, "…This is not just an opportunity… pic.twitter.com/Mb3qWnbcKZ
Fermin Ezcurdia from Spain expressed great enthusiasm to be in India on Mahakumbh. “I am very excited about India. It is a wonderful country.12 years ago I was at the previous Kumbh Mela for four days. It was insufficient for me; very little. Now I have come for 30 days,” he said.
The hospitality arrangements for the grand festival of Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s ‘Sangam Nagari’ Prayagraj are all up to the mark. In a perfect blend of modernity, grandeur, and spirituality, a Dome City has been set up in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. Arrangements to enjoy the panoramic view of Sangam through a speed motorboat have been made for the tourists. In addition, the Tourism Department is operating a special training program for Maha Kumbh. Under this program, guides, taxi drivers, vendors, and sailors who take people on a tour of the city are being deployed.
As an estimated number of 40 crore devotees will be arriving in Prayagraj, maintaining cleanliness is a major concern for the administration. Keeping this in view, about 10 lakh green toilets are being installed in the entire Sangam area. Special hospitals and trains have been arranged.
The Mahakumbh held once every 12 years, began on January 13th and would conclude on February 26th, 2025, in Prayagraj. The main bathing festival, known as the “Shahi Snan” (royal baths), will take place on January 14th (Makar Sankranti), January 29th (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3rd (Basant Panchami).
As part of the preparations for the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, Uttar Pradesh Police will use underwater drones for enhanced security. Inspector-General of Police (IG) PAC East Zone Prayagraj, Rajeev Narain Mishra Speaking to ANI, said that an underwater drone was tested on December 25th, and will be used by the water police and the Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC).