Mon Jan 13 15:14:41 UTC 2025: ## Millions Take Holy Dip as Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela Begins

**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India** – The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela, a significant Hindu pilgrimage, commenced on January 13th, 2025, with an estimated one crore (10 million) devotees taking their first holy dip in the Triveni Sangam (confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers). The event, which takes place every 144 years according to astrological calculations, is expected to draw tens of millions of pilgrims over its duration until February 26th.

The first “Shahi Snan” (royal bath), a major event of the Kumbh Mela, is scheduled for January 14th, Makar Sankranti. Authorities anticipate a massive turnout for this event. The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented extensive crowd control measures, including a “lost and found” camp that successfully reunited over 250 separated individuals on the first day. Digital tools and social media are being utilized to aid in locating missing persons, supported by announcements over loudspeakers at the ghats. Police assistance centers and watchtowers have also been deployed across the mela grounds.

Despite the dense fog in the early morning, the atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm. Devotees were seen taking selfies with cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has launched a dedicated webpage providing real-time weather updates for Prayagraj and surrounding areas throughout the Kumbh Mela.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the pilgrims, highlighting the successful completion of the first bathing day and expressing gratitude towards all those involved in its smooth execution. The massive scale of the event is evident in the 12-kilometer-long ghats constructed to accommodate the anticipated crowds. The government anticipates 40 crore (400 million) pilgrims but prepared infrastructure for potentially 100 crore.

While the event largely proceeded peacefully, a makeshift camp in Sector-16 commemorating the late Mulayam Singh Yadav, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has attracted many Samajwadi Party (SP) supporters.

International participation is also notable, with devotees from 20 countries attending. The state’s police force and administration have stressed the use of advanced technology for managing the massive crowds, aiming for a “grand, divine, digital, and safe” Kumbh Mela. Despite concerns, authorities report no major incidents on the first day. The massive scale and smooth management on the first day set the stage for what is expected to be one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

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