Tue Jan 14 13:45:00 UTC 2025: ## 80-Year-Old Devotee Defies Odds, Travels Alone to Maha Kumbh

**Prayagraj, India** – Millions participated in the auspicious Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 on Tuesday, but one devotee stood out: 80-year-old Taramati from Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Despite her age and a leg ailment, Taramati undertook the arduous journey alone, traveling overnight by train to attend the religious festival, a pilgrimage she has made annually since 1945.

Speaking to NDTV, Taramati explained her unwavering devotion, stating that nothing, not even her family, could prevent her from attending the Kumbh. She recounted her son’s resigned acceptance of her independent pilgrimages, saying he simply tells others, “She feels like going, so she leaves.”

The “Amrit Snan,” a significant holy dip, took place on Makar Sankranti (January 14th), with thirteen Akharas (religious orders) leading the ritual. Devotees were showered with rose petals and responded with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Har Har Mahadev.” The Maha Kumbh, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, is held every 12 years at one of four locations in India. The current Maha Kumbh, a Poorna Kumbh, will continue until February 26th, with several more key “snan” dates scheduled. This year’s event has already seen significant participation, with reports of illness among attendees, including the wife of Steve Jobs’ widow, who reportedly fell ill due to the immense crowds.

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