In Pictures: Aerial view of Mahakumbh 2025

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The 45-day-long Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, listed by UNESCO as the largest peaceful religious congregation of pilgrims on earth, started on January 13, 2025. Devotees walk miles to take a dip at ‘Sangam’, the convergence of the holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The fair is visited by Hindu ascetics, saints, ash-smeared Naga Sadhus, skeleton-donning Aghoris and other pilgrims. It is expected to have a footfall of 450 million this year, nearly twice the population of Uttar Pradesh.

Kumbh, derived from a Sanskrit word which means a pitcher, is rotationally held every three years at the four riverside cities of Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Its schedule is based on the planetary alignments, mainly of that of Sun and Jupiter. The Ardh (half) Kumbh is held every six years at Haridwar and Prayagraj while the Purna (complete) Kumbh takes place in all four cities, every 12 years. The Maha Kumbh happens after 12 Purna Kumbhs in Prayagraj, once in 144 years and is considered the most auspicious.

Here are some glimpses from Mahakumbh 2025:

Photo:
X/@myogiadityanath

An aerial view of the ongoing ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ festival area is seen, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Photo:
X/@myogiadityanath

An aerial view of the ongoing ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ festival area is seen, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Photo:
Sandeep Saxena

Sea of people crossing the pantoon bridge on the mighty river Ganga at Sangam, a sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers on the eve of paush poornima at Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.

Photo:
Sandeep Saxena

Pilgrims taking holy dip at Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers on paush poornima at Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.

Photo:
Sandeep Saxena

Pilgrims taking holy dip at Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers on paush poornima at Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj on Monday.

Photo:
Sandeep Saxena

Pilgrims taking holy dip at Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers on paush poornima at Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.

Photo:
Sandeep Saxena

Kinnar Akhada procession on way to Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers to take holy dip on Makar Sakranti at Maha Kumbha 2025 at Prayagraj.