Mon Jan 13 20:13:38 UTC 2025: ## First ‘Amrit Snan’ of Mahakumbh 2025 Held in Prayagraj
**Prayagraj, India** – The Mahakumbh Mela 2025, a major Hindu pilgrimage, commenced in Prayagraj and will continue until February 26th. The first “Amrit Snan” (auspicious bath), coinciding with Makar Sankranti, took place on January 14th. Millions of devotees converged on the holy city to participate in the sacred ritual, believing it to cleanse sins and bring peace.
The most auspicious time for the ritual, according to the Hindu calendar (Panchang), was the Maha Punyakal, from 9:03 AM to 10:48 AM. The Sri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani was the first to perform the Amrit Snan, followed by other Akharas (religious orders) at scheduled times throughout the day. Each Akhara was allocated a 40-minute slot for the bathing ceremony.
The Mahakumbh features six royal baths, with dates determined by astrological calculations. It is believed that the river water becomes sacred during the Mahakumbh, and even deities descend from heaven to bathe. The Amrit Snan is considered highly sacred, with the belief that bathing during this time grants salvation (moksha). The timings for the Makar Sankranti bath, along with the procession times for different Akharas, were precisely announced.
This event marks the beginning of a series of auspicious bathing ceremonies throughout the Mahakumbh Mela 2025.
First Piper 