Mon Jan 13 07:10:14 UTC 2025: ## Millions Immerse in Sacred Rivers as India’s Maha Kumbh Mela Begins
**Prayagraj, India** – Millions of Hindu pilgrims have begun the Maha Kumbh Mela, a six-week religious festival considered one of the largest gatherings on Earth. The festival, which is expected to attract over 400 million people, commenced Monday with the first ritual bath at the Sangam – the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Over 2.5 million devotees are estimated to have participated in the initial immersion, braving the frigid winter waters to seek absolution and spiritual cleansing. The event continues Tuesday with a “royal bath” specifically for ascetics.
Pilgrims, many chanting hymns to Hindu deities, expressed immense joy and spiritual fulfillment at the opportunity to bathe in the sacred waters. Authorities have implemented extensive security measures, including relentless patrols and the installation of 68,000 LED lights, visible even from space, to manage the massive crowds. Despite the chilly temperatures, devotees reported feeling no discomfort, attributing their resilience to their faith.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held once every 12 years at this location, is considered particularly auspicious. The event’s origins are rooted in Hindu mythology, revolving around a celestial battle for a pitcher of immortality. The festival rotates between four cities every three years. The last Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj in 2019, a smaller “ardh” or half Kumbh, drew 240 million pilgrims. This year’s event has necessitated the setup of 150,000 tents to accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims, a number exceeding three times the population of Russia.
First Piper 