Thousands of pilgrims gathered in the north Indian holy city of Prayagraj for the last Amrit Snan (holy bath) in the Triveni Sangam (the meeting point of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati) during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela or the Great Pitcher Festival, which will end on Wednesday.
The last day of the Maha Kumbh coincides with the Hindu religious event of Maha Shivratri (a day marked to worship the Hindu god Shiva).
State government enhanced security arrangements and other measures for the last major bathing ritual which began early on Tuesday morning.
The government increased the focus on arrangements after the January 26 stampede during Mauni Amavasya which left 30 people dead.
Several opposition leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over the mishap.
Security personnel monitored the swelling crowds at the Maha Kumbh Nagar and the ghats on the last day of the bath.
Yogi Adityanath greets pilgrims
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath greeted pilgrims who visited Prayagraj for the last holy dip in the Triveni Sangam.
In his X post, Yogi wrote: “Hearty congratulations to all the revered saints, Kalpvasis and devotees who have come to take a dip of faith in the Triveni Sangam today on the holy bathing festival of Mahashivratri dedicated to the worship of Lord Bholenath in Mahakumbh-2025, Prayagraj!”
“May Lord Shiva, the lord of the three worlds, and the holy river Mother Ganga bless everyone, this is my prayer,” he said.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which drew millions of pilgrims from India and abroad, began on January 13.
This year six special bathing dates were observed on Paush Purnima (January 13), Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), Basant Panchami (February 3), Maghi Purnima (February 12), and Mahashivratri (February 26).
As per Uttar Pradesh government data, over 65 crore people took a dip in the Triveni Sangam during the 45-day religious event so far.
Highlights of Maha Kumbh 2025
Adding to the historical significance of Maha Kumbh 2025, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu participated in the religious festivities on February 10, 2025.
Her visit included a sacred dip at the Triveni Sangam, reinforcing the event’s spiritual importance at the highest levels of governance.
The President also paid homage at key religious sites, and interacted with saints and devotees.
Apart from President Murmu, several union ministers, chief ministers, and governors, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, have also taken a holy dip in the Sangam.
Movie and sporting stars have also marked their presence, engaging in religious rituals and public interactions. The participation of revered saints and spiritual leaders has further amplified the sanctity and grandeur of the event.
