Maha Kumbh 2025 ends: over 66 crore devotees took a holy dip at the Sangam in 45 days

Punjab First News · 26 February 2025, 7:30 PM

Crowds of pilgrims at Sangam Ghat with boats on the river during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj — Pilgrims at Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh on January 24 (Charlie4404 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

The 45-day Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj came to a close on Wednesday, February 26, with the final holy dip on Mahashivratri. The gathering had begun on January 13, on Paush Purnima.

According to official figures, more than 66.21 crore devotees bathed at the Triveni Sangam over the six and a half weeks, making it what officials call the world's largest religious gathering.

More than 1.53 crore people took the dip on the last day alone. The Indian Air Force staged an air show over the mela area, and rose petals were showered on the ghats.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the King of Bhutan were among the leaders who bathed at the Sangam during the festival.

The mela was also marked by tragedy: a pre-dawn stampede on Mauni Amavasya, January 29, killed 30 people and injured 60. The Uttar Pradesh government ordered a judicial inquiry and suspended VIP protocol for the remaining bathing days.