Over 1.4 crore people take holy dip on Sivaratri as Maha Kumbh draws to a close

Flower petals being showered on devotees as they take a dip at Triveni Sangam on the occasion of the ‘Maha Shivaratri’ during the ongoing ‘MahaKumbh Mela 2025’, in Prayagraj on February 26, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Lakhs and lakhs of devotees streamed towards the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, on Wednesday for the final snan (bath) of the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj on the occasion of the Maha Sivaratri festival.

Over 1.44 crore people had taken the holy dip till 6 p.m. on the concluding day of the Maha Kumbh, as the overall footfall for the 45-day event surged past the 66-crore mark, the Uttar Pradesh government said.

The air resonated with chants of Har Har Mahadev as devotees began gathering near the various ghats in Prayagraj since midnight, waiting patiently to take the holy dip at the Brahma Muhurta.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended greetings to the devotees and monitored the arrangements from Gorakhpur along with senior government officials.

In pictures: Maha Kumbh 2025 comes to an end with final ‘snan’ on Maha Shivratri

Devotees gather to take a dip at the Triveni Sangam on the occasion of Maha Shivratri and the culmination of Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj on February 26, 2025.

A drone shot shows the Sangam area during Maha Shivratri on February 26, 2025.

Devotees perform rituals as they take a holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on February 26, 2025.

Devotees perform rituals at Sangam on February 26, 2025.

An aerial view of devotees at Sangam on February 26, 2025.

The day breaks at Sangam on the final day of the Maha Kumbh on February 26, 2025.

Government officials shower flower petals from a helicopter on pilgrims at Sangam on the final day of the Maha Kumbh on February 26, 2025.

Devotees wait for dawn to take a holy dip at the Sangam on the final day of the Maha Kumbh on February 26, 2025.

A sadhu offers prayers near a ‘Rudraksha bead’ Shivalinga during the Maha Kumbh on February 26, 2025.

Devotees cross a narrow stream of the Ganga as they leave after taking a holy dip at the Sangam on February 26, 2025.

A helicopter showers flower petals on devotees at the Sangam on February 26, 2025.

Devotees gather at the Sangam on the occasion of Maha Shivratri and the culmination of Maha Kumbh on February 26, 2025.

Boats of devotees are anchored at the Sangam the final day of Maha Kumbh on February 26, 2025.

Devotees at the Sangam on on February 26, 2025.

Devotees take a holy bath on the last day of the Maha Kumbh on February 26, 2025.

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“Heartfelt greetings to all the revered sadhus, saints, kalpvasis, and devotees who have arrived today to take a dip of faith at the Triveni Sangam. May Lord Shiva, the ruler of the three worlds, and the sacred Mother Ganga bless everyone with well-being, this is my prayer. Har Har Mahadev,” Mr. Adityanath said in a post on X.

“From January 13, when the Maha Kumbh began on Paush Purnima, till today on the occasion of Maha Sivaratri… in 45 days, more than 66 crore 21 lakh devotees have taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. This is unprecedented in world history and truly unforgettable,” he said in another post.

Devotees also thronged Siva temples in massive numbers across the State, including the Kashi Vishwanath temple to offer prayers. 

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The district administration had enforced a “no-vehicle zone” in the fair area and Prayagraj, besides implementing strict crowd control measures to facilitate a seamless end of the grand event.

As devotees performed religious rituals, the Indian Air Force gave a fitting farewell to the Maha Kumbh, billed as the biggest religious congregation in the world, as Sukhoi fighter jets, AN-32 transport planes, and helicopters performed scintillating manoeuvres in the sky over Prayagraj.

Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh began on January 13. It witnessed six special bathing dates — Paush Purnima (January 13), Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), Basant Panchami (February 3), Maghi Purnima (February 12), and Maha Sivaratri (February 26).