Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Maha Kumbh: Millions gather as ascetics take 'royal bath' on Makar Sankranti

The ritual bathing, conducted at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, is believed to cleanse sins and grant salvation.

amrit-snan-kumbh-getty

In a celestial coincidence, two major bathing rituals occurred on consecutive days, with Paush Purnima on Monday and Makar Sankranti on Tuesday. (Photo: Getty Images)

MILLIONS of devotees, including ascetics with matted hair and holy ash smeared on their bodies, took a ritual dip in the rivers of Prayagraj on Tuesday, marking the first 'Amrit Snan' (royal bath) of the Maha Kumbh Mela on Makar Sankranti.

The ritual bathing, conducted at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, is believed to cleanse sins and grant salvation.


Thirteen Akharas of ascetics from different sects participated in the bathing ritual, a highlight of the Maha Kumbh Mela held every 12 years.

In a celestial coincidence, two major bathing rituals occurred on consecutive days, with Paush Purnima on Monday and Makar Sankranti on Tuesday. Ashutosh Varshney, convenor of the Prayagraj-based Ram Naam Bank, highlighted the significance of this rare alignment.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is described as the largest human gathering in the world. (Photo: Getty Images)

Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani and Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara were the first to take the 'Amrit Snan' on this occasion, following a schedule set by the festival administration. Devotees chanted 'Har Har Mahadev,' 'Jai Shri Ram,' and 'Jai Ganga Maiyya' as they moved towards the freezing waters.

On Monday, the first major 'snan' of the festival took place on Paush Purnima, with an estimated 15 million people participating. The six-week-long Maha Kumbh Mela is expected to draw over 400 million attendees, with 150,000 tents set up across 4,000 hectares to accommodate the crowds.

Uttar Pradesh state chief minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated devotees on the occasion, describing the event as a reflection of eternal culture and faith. The event is also significant as it follows the recent consecration of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya.

Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, explained that terms like 'shahi snan' have been replaced with 'Amrit Snan' to reflect Sanskrit terminology. “When it comes to our Gods, we should make efforts to have names in Sanskrit,” he said, emphasising that the change is not intended to create divisions.

Thirteen Akharas of ascetics from different sects participated in the bathing ritual, a highlight of the Maha Kumbh Mela held every 12 years. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Maha Kumbh Mela is described as the largest human gathering in the world. Security arrangements include 50,000 personnel to ensure the smooth functioning of the event. With a budget of £656 million, the festival is also expected to contribute an estimated £24.6–28.7 billion to the economy.

This year's Maha Kumbh Mela is considered even more auspicious by seers, who claim its celestial combinations occur only once every 144 years.

In past editions, the massive gathering has even been visible from space, showcasing the scale of this sacred event.

(With inputs from agencies)

More For You

Starmer and Modi

Starmer and Modi shake hands during a bilateral meeting in the sidelines of the G20 summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Brazil, on November 18, 2024.

Getty Images

Starmer calls Modi over Kashmir attack; expresses condolences

PRIME MINISER Keir Starmer spoke to Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning following the deadly attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam region that killed 26 people on Tuesday.

According to a readout from 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he was horrified by the devastating terrorist attack and expressed deep condolences on behalf of the British people to those affected, their loved ones, and the people of India. The two leaders agreed to stay in touch.

Keep ReadingShow less
indian-army-reuters

Indian security force personnel stand guard at the site of the attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, April 24, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Indian and Pakistani troops exchange fire along Line of Control

INDIAN and Pakistani troops exchanged fire overnight along the Line of Control in Kashmir, officials from both sides said on Friday.

The exchange took place days after a deadly attack in the region and amid calls from the United Nations for both countries to show "maximum restraint".

Keep ReadingShow less
India declares state mourning for Pope Francis, Modi leads tributes

A sculpture by Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik in Puri, Odisha, on Monday (21)

India declares state mourning for Pope Francis, Modi leads tributes

INDIA began three days of state mourning on Tuesday (22) for the Pope, a rare honour for a foreign religious leader, as prime minister Narendra Modi joined other south Asian and world leaders in paying tributes following his death on Monday (21).

Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of 1.4 billion Catholics across the world, died of a stroke, causing a coma and “irreversible” heart failure, the Vatican said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Minority youth face racist content online once a week, report reveals

As many as 95 per cent of respondents reported encountering violent or abusive racist content online. (Photo: iStock)

Minority youth face racist content online once a week, report reveals

MOST young people from black and minority communities in Britain encounter racist content online, a new study revealed, with more than half reporting it damages their sense of safety.

The "Youth, Race and Social Media" report published on Thursday (24) highlighted a troubling picture of online racism and its effects on young people aged 16-24.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-pahalgam-getty

'I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer,' Modi said in his first speech since the incident.

Getty Images

Modi vows to hunt Kashmir attackers ‘to the ends of the Earth’

INDIA and Pakistan have exchanged a series of diplomatic measures after prime minister Narendra Modi blamed Pakistan for a deadly shooting in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed.

Modi said India would identify and punish those behind the attack and accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism.

Keep ReadingShow less