Devotees from across the country gathered in large numbers at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday for the final ‘Snan’ of the Maha Kumbh, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
Drone visuals captured a massive crowd at the Triveni Sangam, where devotees took a holy dip on the last day of Maha Kumbh.
One devotee shared her excitement with ANI, saying, “I cannot express my emotions in words… We came here with great enthusiasm because it is the last day of the Maha Kumbh. We feel blessed to receive the grace of Maa Ganga.”
The first Amrit Snan of Paush Purnima took place on January 13, followed by Snans on Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), Basant Panchami (February 3), Maghi Purnima (February 12), and the final Snan on February 26, coinciding with Maha Shivaratri.
Several Akhadas participated in the Maha Kumbh, including Niranjani Akhada, Ahwan Akhada, and Juna Akhada, the largest Akhada in the Sanyasi tradition. Akharas play a vital role in the Shahi Snan and are religious orders of monks belonging to various sects such as Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Udasi. Each Akhada is led by a head known as the Mahamandaleshwar.
Security and Crowd Management
In anticipation of the massive influx of devotees, the Prayagraj District Administration deployed additional security forces and coordinated efforts with railway and airport authorities for better crowd management.
Prayagraj District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar emphasized the importance of managing traffic and parking efficiently to ensure a hassle-free experience for devotees.
“Tomorrow is the last ‘Snan’ on Maha Shivaratri. We are fully prepared. Extra forces have been deployed for major Snan days. We have coordinated with railway and airport authorities and issued clear instructions for parking management to keep traffic under control. Senior officials are stationed at all key points to oversee operations. A traffic advisory was issued this morning,” he said on Tuesday.
Maha Shivaratri, also known as the great night of Shiva, is considered highly auspicious for spiritual growth and signifies victory over darkness and ignorance. It marks the divine marriage of Lord Shiva, the lord of destruction, with Goddess Parvati, the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty, also known as Shakti.
According to Hindu mythology, on the night of their wedding, Lord Shiva was escorted to Goddess Parvati’s house by a diverse group of Hindu gods, goddesses, animals, and demons. The union of Shiva and Shakti symbolizes love, power, and togetherness. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm across India.
On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath posted on X, “More than 1.30 crore devotees today and over 63.36 crore devotees so far have taken a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam at Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj, a living symbol of India’s faith and Sanatan’s harmony. The festival of humanity. Hearty congratulations to all revered saints and devotees who received the holy benefit of the sacred bath today in this ‘Mahayagna’ of unity! Hail Mother Ganga!”
Sanitation and Cleanliness Initiatives
In response to the large number of devotees on the last day of Maha Kumbh, large-scale sanitation and cleanliness efforts have been implemented. A new Guinness World Record was set, with 15,000 sanitation workers participating in a cleanliness drive across multiple venues. However, the final results of this record attempt are expected to be announced on February 27.
Transportation Arrangements
The Indian Railways has made special arrangements for Maha Shivaratri, planning to run more than 350 additional trains from Prayagraj to facilitate the return of pilgrims following the final Amrit Snan of Maha Kumbh 2025 on February 26, according to an official statement.
A large number of devotees from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal have gathered at the Sangam, leading to an unprecedented demand for transportation.
In light of the anticipated rush, North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway, and Northern Railway have been placed on high alert. Previously, on Mauni Amavasya, over 360 special trains were deployed to transport more than 20 lakh passengers safely. A similar plan has been implemented for Maha Shivaratri, with extra rakes positioned near Prayagraj for emergency use.
Railway officials have implemented an internal movement plan at Prayagraj Junction, ensuring that pilgrims are directed to specific shelters based on their destinations before being guided to their respective trains. In cases of overcrowding, emergency plans were activated, directing passengers to holding areas such as Khusro Bagh before they were escorted safely to boarding platforms.
Meanwhile, in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district, devotees arrived in huge numbers at Shri Baba Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Mandir on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. Large crowds also gathered at Mahipalpur’s Shiv Murti Temple to offer prayers.
(ANI)
