One of the world's greatest religious spectacles is underway and the numbers are staggering
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: World's Largest Religious Gathering Begins in IndiaThe Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious festival, has commenced in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with an anticipated 400 million attendees over the next six weeks. Devotees gather to bathe in the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, seeking spiritual purification.Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela draws upon Hindu mythology, where drops of an immortality elixir fell on Earth during a celestial battle, designating Prayagraj as one of four rotational hosts.This year’s festival spans 4,000 hectares, featuring 160,000 tents, 150,000 toilets, and extensive infrastructure improvements. Enhanced safety measures include AI-powered security cameras, drones, and over 1,000 police officers. Connectivity has been boosted with additional trains, buses, flyovers, and pontoon bridges.People offer prayers at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh Mela Festival, in Prayagraj, India, on January 13, 2025. Adnan Abidi/ReutersIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have promoted the UNESCO-recognized event as both a spiritual and cultural showcase. The festival concludes on February 26, celebrating tradition, faith, and unity on an unparalleled scale.