41 Lakh Strong Crowd Gathers at Maha Kumbh on Mahashivratri
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Today marks the sixth and final bath of the Mahakumbh 2025, which coincides with Mahashivratri. On this auspicious occasion, a large number of devotees have gathered at Mahakumbh for the sacred Sangam bath. The entire fair area is under high alert to ensure safety and order. Drones and AI cameras are monitoring the Triveni Sangam, and vehicle entry into the fair area has been restricted. It is estimated that about two crore devotees will take part in the bath today. By 7 am, approximately 41 lakh people had already bathed. To date, more than 65 crore devotees have visited Mahakumbh for the ritual.
In light of the massive crowd expected today, the fair area is under strict surveillance. The same security and crowd management measures that were implemented during the bathing festivals of Vasant Panchami and Maghi Purnima are being followed. Special arrangements are also in place for flower showers from helicopters, with 25 quintals of flowers set to fall upon Shiva devotees.
The 45-day Mahakumbh event, which began on January 13, will conclude with today’s bathing festival. Preparations for the event were finalized a day in advance. A control room team has been established in I-Triple City to monitor activities 24/7, coordinating the flow of devotees to the ghats, fair area, and transport hubs. This will help manage the crowd and prevent congestion, with the aim of directing excess devotees outside the fair area when necessary.
The fair area will operate as a one-way route, with sector magistrates instructing devotees to enter via Kali Sadak and exit through Triveni Marg. Devotees have been encouraged to bathe at nearby ghats to maintain order, with options available at Arail, Jhansi, Ramghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Nagvasuki, and others. The ghats were prepared a day in advance, with straw laid down and cleaning done. Workers have been assigned to clean the ghats every hour.
Since Mahashivratri coincides with the last major bathing festival, many devotees will also visit nearby Shiva temples such as Dashashwamedh, Someshwar Mahadev, and Mankameshwar. To manage the crowds, officers have been instructed to monitor these temples closely, with at least two officers assigned to each temple to ensure smooth entry and exit.
The fair area has been declared a no-vehicle zone until 8 am on February 27, with restrictions potentially extended depending on the crowd size. In addition to the police, paramilitary forces have been deployed at Sangam and other bathing ghats to maintain security. Special routes have been designated for the arrival and departure of devotees.
Mahakumbh Nagar DM Vijay Kiran Anand stated that Mahashivratri is one of the most significant bathing festivals of the Mahakumbh. All preparations have been finalized to ensure that devotees can bathe comfortably and safely, with extensive support from the administration and police.
