Mahakumbh 2025 officially started today on Monday (January 13, 2025) on the occasion of Paush Purnima in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. In this Mahakumbh, which took 144 years, devotees from all over the country and the world are taking a dip in the confluence of the holy Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers. The ascetics performed the first Amrit Snan (earlier called Shahi Snan or Peshwai).
It is believed that around 1 crore people will take bath today. And on January 14, 7 crore people will take bath. PM Modi and CM Yogi have extended their good wishes on this occasion. With this bath, the ‘Kalpvas’ of the devotees who came to Mahakumbh has started. Sadhus of different sects including Shaiva, Shakta, Vaishnav will take a total of six nectar baths.
Second Amrit Snan on the day of Makar Sankranti on 14th January, 29th January Mauni Amavasya There will be the third Amrit Snan on the occasion of Basant Panchami on 3 February, the fifth Amrit Snan on the occasion of Maghi Purnima on 12 February and the sixth and last Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mahashivratri on 26 February. However, some reports are saying that Only three nectar baths in total Will be.
Of these, the first will be done on Makar Sankranti, the second on Mauni Amavasya and the third on Basant Panchami. Apart from this, Kumbh Snan is also done on the day of Maghi Purnima, Paush Purnima and Mahashivratri, which is not considered as Amrit Snan. Whatever be the case, about 45 crore devotees are likely to attend the biggest religious event of Hindus on 26 February i.e. which will last for about 45 days.
Arrangements in the fair area for devotees
Under the direction of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, extensive arrangements have been made in the fair area so that the devotees do not face any kind of problem. The state government has declared Mahakumbh area as the 76th district of the state. The fair area spread over approximately 4000 hectares of land has been divided into 25 sectors. A total of 41 ghats have been prepared for bathing. Of these, 10 are permanent ghats, while 31 ghats are temporary.
Sangam Ghat, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, is the most important ghat of Prayagraj. 102 checkpoints have been set up on 7 major routes of 8 districts to enter the fair area. The administration has made arrangements for 10 lakh people to stay in the fair area. These include both free and paid systems. Apart from this, there are 100 shelters in the fair area. Each of these shelters has 250 beds.
Along with this, more than 10 thousand voluntary organizations have made arrangements for accommodation and food for the devotees. A total of 3000 bed night shelters have been built around the confluence. There are total 204 guest houses, 90 dharamshalas in Mahakumbh district. There are arrangements for accommodation in all these. Apart from this, Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has made night shelters outside the station. All arrangements have been made for accommodation as well as protection from cold.
tight security
Adequate arrangements have also been made for medical emergencies etc. in the Kumbh area. Along with a central hospital, a 20-bed hospital has been built in every sector. More than 300 divers have been deployed at all the ghats. Several water ambulances have also been deployed. Apart from this, 7-tier security monitored by NSG commandos and UP Police personnel has been created in Mahakumbh.
Apart from this, spotters and 15 thousand civil soldiers will keep an eye on suspicious people and activities. AI powered cameras, drones and anti-drone systems have been installed at the fair for crowd management and monitoring. 113 drones have been deployed to ensure the safety and security of waterways in and around the Sangam. More than 50,000 QR codes have been installed on electric poles. With this, devotees will be able to determine their location in the fair area.
Bollywood and revenue in Kumbh
According to Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, this time 15 lakh foreign tourists will come to Mahakumbh. in view of this indian culture Arrangements for promotion have also been made here. Keeping in mind the foreign tourists, a tent city with facilities like Ayurveda, Yoga and Panchakarma has been established here. Apart from this, many other arrangements have been made.
To celebrate the art, culture and heritage of India, a venue called ‘Kalagram’ has been established on 10 acres in Sector-7, in which big names from Bollywood and art world will participate. Kailash Kher, Mohit Chauhan, Shankar Mahadevan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Hariharan, Hansraj Hans and Maithili Thakur will perform. A grand entrance gate with replica of Char Dham and 12 Jyotirlingas has been built in Kalagram.
According to the UP government, from this Mahakumbh the state government Rs 25,000 crore Revenue of Rs. can be obtained. Local self-help groups, artisans, hoteliers, homestay owners, restaurant operators and food vendors participating in this will benefit. Products worth Rs 3,000 crore by major brands like Dabur, Mother Dairy and ITC are estimated to be spent here.
How far will the trains run?
Railways has started 3000 special trains for Mahakumbh, which will make more than 13000 trips. Apart from Prayagraj Junction, 8 sub-stations have been created to manage the rush of incoming passengers. Separate routes have been made for entry and exit in all these stations. Trains of Kanpur, Deendayal Upadhyay, Satna, Jhansi route will stop at Prayagraj Junction and will open from here. Routine trains on these routes will be stopped at Naini and Chhivki Junction.
Trains coming from Lucknow, Ayodhya and Jaunpur will be stopped at Phaphamau station, Prayag station and Prayagraj Sangam station. Trains will not be allowed to reach Prayagraj Sangam station on the days of Amrit Snan. Trains coming from Kanpur will be stopped at Subedarganj station. Trains coming from Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Mau will be stopped at Jhunsi and Rambagh stations.
