45-day-long Maha Kumbh concludes: 66.3 crore people take holy dip in Triveni Sangam; PM Modi hails CM Yogi's leadership
PTC Web Desk: : The 45-day-long Maha Kumbh, one of the largest religious congregations in the world, officially concluded on February 26. Despite the formal closing, a large number of devotees continued to throng the fairgrounds, taking a holy dip at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Various shops and stalls also remained operational, catering to the needs of pilgrims and visitors.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya, and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, visited the Sangam for the concluding ceremonies. The leaders actively participated in cleaning the Arail Ghat, sweeping the premises, and removing litter from the riverbank as a symbolic gesture of service and devotion. They also performed the Ganga Aarti and paid homage to the sacred rivers.
#WATCH प्रयागराज: उत्तर प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ, उपमुख्यमंत्री ब्रजेश पाठक, केपी मौर्य और कैबिनेट के अन्य मंत्रियों ने प्रयागराज के अरैल घाट पर पूजा की। pic.twitter.com/SyvcBwbeQi — ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) February 27, 2025
Later in the day, CM Yogi Adityanath honoured police personnel, sanitation workers, and boatmen at the Ganga Pandal for their dedicated service throughout the grand religious gathering.
Marking the conclusion of this colossal spiritual event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned a blog titled ‘Ekta Ka Mahakumbh – Yug Parivartan Ki Aahat’ (The Kumbh of Unity – A Prelude to Transformation). In his note, he expressed gratitude for the seamless execution of the festival and acknowledged the massive scale of the event.
He wrote, “Such a grand event is never easy to organise. I bow to Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna, and Mother Saraswati. If there were any shortcomings in our devotion, please forgive us. If there were any lapses in serving the devotees, I seek forgiveness from the people as well.”
PM Modi commended CM Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, stating that the event’s success was due to the collective efforts of the administration and the unwavering devotion of the people. “There were no rulers or administrators here—everyone was a dedicated servant of faith,” he added.
महाकुंभ संपन्न हुआ...एकता का महायज्ञ संपन्न हुआ। प्रयागराज में एकता के महाकुंभ में पूरे 45 दिनों तक जिस प्रकार 140 करोड़ देशवासियों की आस्था एक साथ, एक समय में इस एक पर्व से आकर जुड़ी, वो अभिभूत करता है! महाकुंभ के पूर्ण होने पर जो विचार मन में आए, उन्हें मैंने कलमबद्ध करने का… pic.twitter.com/TgzdUuzuGI — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2025
Unprecedented footfall sets records
Mahashivratri on February 21 marked the final holy dip of the Maha Kumbh 2023, attracting a record-breaking 1.53 crore (15.3 million) devotees on a single day. Over the entire 45-day event, an astounding 66.3 crore (660 million) pilgrims participated, a figure surpassing the combined population of the United States (approximately 340 million) twice over.
#WATCH | प्रयागराज, उत्तर प्रदेश: रेल मंत्री अश्विनी वैष्णव ने कहा, "...मैं प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी और मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ का धन्यवाद करना चाहता हूं जिनके नेतृत्व में इतना भव्य आयोजन हुआ... सबके सहयोग से रेलवे ने घनिष्ठ समन्वय के साथ काम किया... 16000 से अधिक ट्रेनें… https://t.co/ovC42pWFrX pic.twitter.com/z7tpZYzLAv — ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) February 27, 2025
This staggering number also exceeds the population of 193 individual nations, making it one of the largest recorded human gatherings in history. The Uttar Pradesh government even claimed that nearly half of the global Hindu population participated in the event.
Massive logistics and transport arrangements
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the extensive efforts undertaken to ensure smooth transportation for pilgrims. Over 16,000 special trains were operated, successfully ferrying nearly 4–5 crore (40–50 million) devotees to Prayagraj. The coordination between various railway departments ensured an efficient transport system, avoiding major disruptions.
#WATCH | उत्तर प्रदेश: रेल मंत्री अश्विनी वैष्णव प्रयागराज जंक्शन पहुंचे और रेलवे स्टेशन पर रेलवे अधिकारियों से मुलाकात की। pic.twitter.com/mJuUMjDEJv — ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) February 27, 2025
Vaishnaw further stated, “We meticulously analysed and executed crowd management strategies. The successful handling of such massive footfalls has led us to consider permanent changes in railway operational protocols for future mega events.”
Challenges and setbacks
While the event was largely successful, some challenges emerged, including a tragic accident that resulted in loss of lives. Expressing his condolences, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya stated, “I extend my deepest sympathies to those who lost their loved ones. For those who sustained injuries, we pray for their speedy recovery.”
Impact on postal services
The large-scale movement of people and temporary road restrictions in Prayagraj disrupted postal services. Over 6,000 undelivered parcels, including registered mail and packages destined for various domestic and international locations such as the UAE, Kuwait, and Oman, piled up at the main post office. The authorities assured a systematic clearance of the backlog following the fair’s conclusion.
Commitment to cleanliness and restoration
Prayagraj District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar emphasised the administration’s focus on ensuring a safe return for devotees. He stated, “As the Maha Kumbh concludes, we are committed to safely dismantling the temporary infrastructure while maintaining hygiene and security at the Sangam.”
Throughout the 45-day period, extensive measures were undertaken to keep the venue clean and organized. The administration ensured that devotees adhered to established protocols, making the event a disciplined and successful affair.
Historic significance and spiritual legacy
Deputy CM Maurya remarked on the rarity of this year’s Maha Kumbh, noting that such a celestial alignment occurs only once every 144 years. This unique astrological occurrence contributed to heightened spiritual fervor across India and the world.
CM Yogi Adityanath, in his post on social media platform X, wrote, “The grand festival of humanity, faith, unity, and equality—Maha Kumbh 2024—has reached its culmination with the holy bath on Mahashivratri. From January 13 (Pausha Purnima) to February 26 (Mahashivratri), over 662 million devotees took a sacred dip in the holy Triveni. This historic and unforgettable event has left an indelible mark in world history.”
- With inputs from agencies
