Tue Feb 25 23:35:51 UTC 2025: ## Millions Converge on Prayagraj for Maha Shivratri, Culminating Maha Kumbh Mela

**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India** – Millions of Hindu pilgrims flocked to the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, for a holy dip on Mahashivratri, marking the culmination of the six-week-long Maha Kumbh Mela. This 12-yearly event, believed to grant salvation, drew an estimated 1.33 crore (13.3 million) devotees on Tuesday alone, bringing the total attendance for the Maha Kumbh 2025 to over 64 crore (640 million). This number surpasses the population of every country except India and China.

The Mahashivratri celebrations, commemorating the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, concluded a series of six special bathing days, including three “Amrit Snans.” Devotees from across India, many arriving by train, expressed their faith and eagerness to participate in the sacred ritual. One pilgrim, Dheeraj Kumar from Bihar, highlighted the auspiciousness of the day and the importance of the pilgrimage.

Authorities implemented extensive security measures, including a no-vehicle zone in the mela area and Prayagraj, surveillance drones, CCTV monitoring, and large deployments of police and paramilitary forces. Medical teams and disaster response units were also on standby to manage the massive crowd. The North Eastern Railway deployed additional trains and strengthened security at key stations to handle the departing pilgrims.

DIG (Kumbh) Vaibhav Krishna emphasized the preparedness of authorities to manage both the rush at the ghats and the crowds at five main Shiva temples within the mela area. He confirmed the no-vehicle zone and the absence of VIP treatment for the day, anticipating even higher attendance on Wednesday than Tuesday’s record-breaking number. The successful culmination of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 highlights the immense scale of the religious event and the meticulous planning required to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

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