The Maha Kumbh Mela is a grand Hindu festival held every 12 years at four sacred locations in India: Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. Rooted in ancient traditions, the festival is centered around the confluence of faith, mythology, and ritualistic bathing in holy rivers, believed to cleanse devotees of their sins and bestow spiritual liberation (moksha). It is the largest spiritual gathering in the world.
The Maha Kumbh rotates among the four sites based on astrological alignments of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. Prayagraj, at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, is considered the most significant venue. Crores of pilgrims, saints, and spiritual leaders from across India and beyond gather for the event.
Key highlights include the Shahi Snan (royal bath) led by Naga sadhus and other religious orders, elaborate processions, and spiritual discourses. The Mela is also a logistical marvel, with temporary infrastructure springing up to accommodate and manage crores of visitors.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal criticised India's startup ecosystem, saying it’s too focused on food delivery, betting, and fantasy sports apps. In contrast, he praised Chinese startups for prioritising advanced tech like EVs, batteries, semiconductors, and AI, urging Indian innovators to shift toward deeper, tech-driven innovation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the success of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj as a testament to 'sabka prayaas' (everyone's effort), showcasing India's grandeur to the world. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said the Maha Kumbh reflects the spirit of a rising India.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that the record number of devotees taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh proved naysayers wrong. He said that over 66 crore people visiting the Mahakumbh proved that it was a successful event organised on a grand scale.
Swami Kailashanand Giri, spiritual head of Niranjani Akhada and Chidanand Saraswati who is the spiritual head of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram attended the India Today Conclave 2025 on Friday.
In Lucknow’s Indira Nagar, a group of miscreants brutally assaulted a man. The victim, Abhay Pandit, has alleged that he was attacked by Armaan and his accomplices for taking a holy dip during the Maha kumbh.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe into the Delhi stampede during the Maha Kumbh. Reports of negligence and mismanagement arose, but the court rejected transferring the case.
The Maha Kumbh mela in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj concluded in a grand fashion with the Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mahashivratri on February 26. Since the religious congregation began on January 13, over 66 crore devotees, representing 70 countries, took the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam till its conclusion.
The Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj achieved record attendance and significant economic impact, creating jobs across various sectors and earning widespread praise for its cultural value.
The six-week Maha Kumbh Mela concluded on Wednesday with an Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mahashivratri on February 26, with over 66 crore people taking the holy dip over the course of the event. The number of devotees attending the largest religious congregations in the world has gone up over the decades, but there has been a steep rise this edition as compared to the last one in 2013.
A "Love Jihad"-themed tableau in a Maha Shivratri procession by Bajrang Dal in Bihar’s Munger has sparked a major political controversy. The grand procession, featuring over 50 tableaux, toured the city before concluding at the Mankeshwar Nath Mahadev Temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned a blog after the Maha Kumbh Mela concluded on Mahashivratri, thanking citizens for their participation. He expressed awe at how the faith of 140 crore people united in Prayagraj for 45 days, calling it overwhelming.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that Maha Kumbh showcases India's rich diversity and spiritual wealth.
The Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj concluded on Mahashivratri with over 65 crore devotees attending the six-week-long religious congregation so far.
Before the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela was the 2013 Maha Kumbh, so how often does the Kumbh really take place and why is this one being touted to be held after 144 years?
The Indian Air Force conducted an air show over the Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra on the last Amrit Snan, celebrating the conclusion of the 45-day-long event. The world's largest human gathering, which began on Paush Purnima, witnessed breathtaking aerial maneuvers, adding to the spiritual and cultural grandeur of the festival.
Hundreds of thousands of devotees thronged the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj for the final holy dip of the Maha Kumbh Mela on Mahashivratri. The six-week-long religious gathering is set to conclude later today. A vast crowd of devotees assembled along the Sangam's banks around midnight, patiently camping and waiting for the sacred dip at 'Brahma Muhurt'.
Nearly 64 crore devotees participated in the Divine Maha Kumbh, managed by AI systems with 1700 cameras, aiding crowd control in Prayagraj.
A CAG report tabled in the Delhi Assembly has flagged alleged irregularities in the excise policy under Arvind Kejriwal’s tenure. It points to a major revenue loss for the state, citing concerns such as monopoly risks, missing approvals, and unauthorised exemptions. The report attributes losses to zonal license exemptions and the absence of competitive bidding for retail licenses.
Mahakumbh ends in Prayagraj with a holy dip on Mahashivratri. 65 crore devotees joined, 41 lakh on finale.
The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj has become a political battleground with the opposition parties criticising the event management.
Singer Udit Narayan was among the latest celebrities to visit the holy city of Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh 2025. In an interview with ANI, he expressed his gratitude and congratulated Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the well-organised and efficient arrangements.
The big focus of this episode of Newstrack is on the political war over Maha Kumbh.
Watch how moto vlogger Prashant Chauhan stepped in to help two kids who got separated from their parents at the crowded Maha Kumbh, reuniting the family in a heartwarming moment.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has slammed criticised opposition parties for their views on the Kumbh Mela.
Katrina Kaif takes a holy dip with her mother-in-law in Triveni Sangam at Maha Kumbh Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif took a holy dip in Triveni Sangam with her mother-in-law Veena Kaushal. Speaking about her experience, she said, "I am very fortunate that I could come here this time. I am really happy and grateful. I met Swami Chidanand Saraswati and took his blessings. I am just starting my experience here. I like the energy, beauty, and significance of everything. I am looking forward to spending the whole day here."
BJP MP Sambit Patra along with renowned Bollywood singer Kailash Kher took a dip at the Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj on Sunday. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Uttarakhand Governor Lt. General (retired) Gurmit Singh were among the other dignitaries who took a dip at the Triveni Sangam on Sunday.
Producer Boney Kapoor is at Maha Kumbh 2025. Ahead of the holy dip, Kapoor spoke to the media and shared that he has never seen a sight like what he witnessed at Maha Kumbh before. He also added that he had gone there earlier too, but it was a difficult time because he had to immerse his grandfather's ashes in the Ganges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday slammed Opposition leaders for “dividing society and breaking its unity" and allegedly mocking the traditional rituals. Addressing a gathering in Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi hailed the "spirit of unity" at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj and trained his guns on "foreign powers" trying to "weaken the country and religion." He further claimed that these "foreign powers" were backing Opposition leaders in mocking India's cultural traditions. "People who hate the Hindu faith have been living in some phase or the other for centuries," PM Modi said.
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil has responded to concerns about the quality of Ganga water at Maha Kumbh, stating that the Namami Gange project has successfully cleaned the river.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has mocked cricketer Mohammad Shami's holy dip at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has denied accusations of hiding death figures related to the Maha Kumbh stampede.
The Uttar Pradesh government declared that at least 55 crore devotees have taken a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj, releasing a drone visual of lakhs of devotees taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam on Tuesday. The mega event, that occurs every 144 years, began on January 13 and will end on Maha Shivratri, which falls on February 26.
Opposition leaders have criticised the management of Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee terming it 'Mrityu kumbh' after stampede incidents.
Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, actor Juhi Chawla and singer Shaan were seen at the Maha Kumbh 2025. Both Shaan and Pawan Kalyan took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the Yogi Adityanath government for the management of Maha Kumbh, calling it 'mrityu kumbh'.
A Delta Air Lines flight with 80 passengers on board overturned after landing at the Toronto Airport in Canada, injuring 18 of the 80 passengers. Three people, including a child, were rushed to the hospital in a critical state. Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) or the central pollution control body has raised concerns over significant increase in faecal coliform bacteria during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.
The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela witnessed a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15, leaving at least 18 people dead and dozens injured.
A stampede at New Delhi Railway Station killed 18 and injured dozens as passengers rushed for Maha Kumbh Mela trains. Eyewitnesses blamed train schedule confusion and inadequate crowd control. Authorities face scrutiny over railway safety measures.
When India Today asked a coach attendant about overcrowding on the Prayagraj Express, Bhagat said that this was the third instance of overcrowding he has witnessed since Kumbh started.
DCP Railway KPS Malhotra on what led to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station said that the stampede occurred due to the delay of two trains, overcrowding and misinformation.
