Crores arrive at Prayagraj for Mahakumbh's final snan on Mahashivratri

The Maha Kumbh 2025 concludes today, February 26, with crores of devotees gathering at the Triveni Sangam for the final Mahashivratri snan. The religious congregation began on January 13 and witnessed an estimated 63.36 crore footfalls over 45 days. By 6 AM today, over 41 lakh devotees had bathed in the sacred waters, with numbers expected to cross one crore before the day ends. The six-week-long event featured six major snan dates, including Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, and Maghi Purnima.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his wishes to devotees, saying, "Hearty wishes to all the revered saints, Kalpvasis, and devotees who have come to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam today. May Lord Shiva and Maa Ganga bless everyone. Har Har Mahadev." The Sangam area saw heavy footfall throughout the night as devotees arrived early to bathe at Brahma Muhurt, the most auspicious time. Security and crowd control measures were heightened as the influx continued through the morning.

Authorities deployed thousands of police personnel, paramilitary forces, AI-enabled CCTV cameras, and disaster response teams to manage the gathering. A “no-vehicle zone” was implemented across Prayagraj and the mela area, and traffic diversions were enforced to regulate movement. Indian Railways operated over 350 additional trains to accommodate the departing pilgrims, with heavy deployment of security at railway stations and entry points. Surveillance drones, emergency medical teams, and command centers were set up to monitor and coordinate real-time crowd management.

The event also saw participation from top dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and business and film industry figures like Mukesh Ambani, Katrina Kaif, and Akshay Kumar. The Maha Kumbh, held once every 12 years, is rooted in Hindu mythology, which describes the Samudra Manthan, or churning of the ocean, where drops of Amrit (nectar of immortality) are believed to have fallen at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The festival is regarded as the largest religious gathering in the world.

Despite the grand celebrations, several mishaps were reported during the event, including a stampede on January 29 that left 30 dead and over 60 injured, along with fire incidents and road accidents involving pilgrims. The final snan on Mahashivratri marks the official end of Maha Kumbh 2025, with millions of devotees participating in the concluding rituals at the Sangam. Security forces remain on high alert as the mass departure of pilgrims continues.