Mahakumbh Mela 2025 Live Updates: Kicking off Day 2, Akharas participate in 1st Amrit Snan on Makar Sankranti

Air India will temporarily operate daily flights between the national capital and Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh to cater to the high travel demand.

In a release on Tuesday, the airline said it will operate the flights on the route from January 25 to February 28.

"With convenient daytime departures in both directions, the flights enable seamless connections via Delhi to customers travelling to/from various parts of India as well as North America, Europe, Australia, and several countries in Southeast Asia," the release said.

n the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his heartfelt wishes to those taking a holy dip in the Ganga during Mahakumbh 2025. Through a heartfelt post on his social media handle X, he congratulated the revered saints, Kalpvasis, and devotees participating in this grand convergence of faith, equality, and unity, a release said.

CM Yogi described Mahakumbh as a symbol of the immense power and faith of Sanatan Dharma. He wrote, "On the first Amrit Snan day, more than 3.5 crore revered saints and devotees earned the merit of bathing in the eternal and pure Triveni Sangam."

Former Solapur mayor and NCP (SP) leader Mahesh Kothe died after he suffered a heart attack while taking a holy dip at the triveni confluence in Prayagraj on Tuesday, his aide said.

He was 60.

The incident occurred around 7:30 AM at the Triveni Sangam, a confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the legendary Saraswati River.

"Kothe had gone to the triveni sangam to attend shahi snan (on Makar Sankranti). He suffered a heart attack in the river water. He was rushed to a medical facility but he was declared as brought dead," he said.

Kothe's body will be brought to Solapur for the last rites on Wednesday. -PTI

Around twenty million devotees have taken a holy dip in the Sangam so far during the first 'Amrit Snan' of Maha Kumbh 2025 on Tuesday, Amrit Abhijat, Uttar Pradesh principal secretary, urban development told ANI.

"So far, about 2 crore people have taken a dip. By evening, more than 2.50 crore people will have taken a dip in Sangam," Abhijat told ANI.

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar told ANI that the police are continuously monitoring the situation.

"Since Sadhus from several Akharas take a holy dip today, it is called Amrit Snan. The 8th Akhara is taking a holy dip right now. Our officers and jawans are on duty to ensure everything is under control. Around 12 PM, 1.60 crore people have taken a holy dip," Prashant Kumar said.

"We are continuously monitoring the situation. Police response vehicles and Ambulances were present at the spot. Through thermal images, we were able to control the crowd during night. Devotees are peacefully taking a holy dip at several places in the state on the occasion of Makar Sankranti," he added.

Spiritual orator Jaya Kishori who reached Prayagraj on the occasion of Mahakumbh urged people to visit the Kumbh Nagari and said that the energy which gets created during such an amalgamation of crowds can't be witnessed during normal days.

Kishori further said that anyone who comes here will find everything here- peace, knowledge, spirituality, and culture.

Kishori who was taking in a boat ride at Triveni Sangam while accompanying Swami Chidanand Saraswati, the spiritual head of the Rishikesh-based Parmarth Niketan Ashram and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati. ANI

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, “A wonderful confluence of devotion and spirituality in Maha Kumbh!Hearty congratulations to all the devotees who took part in the first Amrit Snan at Mahakumbh on the great festival of Makar Sankranti.”

On the first Amrit Snan of Mahakumbh 2025, the Kinnar Akhara, led by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, became a major highlight.

In the afternoon, the Akahara members took the holy dip at Triveni Sangam -- a sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and 'mystical' Saraswati rivers, praying for the welfare and progress of the nation while celebrating Makar Sankranti.

Members of the Kinnar Akhara made their way to the Sangam, chanting Har Har Mahadev with fervour. Acharya Mahamandaleshwar walked at the centre, sheltered under an umbrella, accompanied by other Mahamandaleshwars of the Akhara. -ANI

On the auspicious occasion of the first Amrit Snan of Mahakumbh 2025, the Kinnar Akhara, led by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, became a major highlight.

In the afternoon, the Akahara members took the holy dip at Triveni Sangam -- a sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and 'mystical' Saraswati rivers, praying for the welfare and progress of the nation while celebrating Makar Sankranti.

Members of the Kinnar Akhara made their way to the Sangam, chanting Har Har Mahadev with fervour. Acharya Mahamandaleshwar walked at the centre, sheltered under an umbrella, accompanied by other Mahamandaleshwars of the Akhara. -ANI

UP DGP Prashant Kumar told PTI, "Today second 'snan' is happening at Maha Kumbh 2025. 'Amrit Snan' is happening today. People from all across the country come. Till 1 pm, the number of visitors would be in excess of 1.75 crore. Swarm of people is continuously arriving. We are doing proper policing at the important roads, monitoring rail traffic. Along with that, we have strengthened the security at the ghats. We have been monitoring the crowd with the help of new technologies since late in the night, we controlled the crowd through thermal imaging. During the daytime, we are using teether drone, CCTV visuals, we are also monitoring the vehicles. Since the length of ghats is long, there is not much pressure at Sangam nose. By and large, people are leaving with satisfaction. Our planning is giving desired results."

On the second day of the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar told ANI, "Since Sadhus from several Akharas take a holy dip today, it is called Amrit Snan. The 8th Akhara is taking a holy dip right now. Our officers and jawans are on duty to ensure everything is under control. Around 12 PM, 1.60 crore people have taken a holy dip. We are continuously monitoring the situation. Police response vehicles and Ambulances were present at the spot. Through thermal images, we were able to control the crowd during night. Devotees are peacefully taking a holy dip at several places in the state on the occasion of Makar Sankranti..."

On the second day of the Mahakumbh Mela, over 1.38 crore devotees from across the world took a dip in the Sangam till 10.30 am. Today also marks the first 'Amrit Snan' of Maha Kumbh 2025. Today, after the holy dip concludes, a helicopter will fly from Prayagraj Airport and a flower shower will be done on all the Akharas.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday extended heartfelt congratulations to all the devotees who participated in the first 'Amrit Snan'.

The first day of the Mahakumbh saw over 1.65 crore devotees taking a dip in Sangam, while the second day of the festivities commenced with the 'Amrit Snan', with over 1 crore devotees participating.

One crore devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela took the ‘Amrit Snan’ by 8.30 am Tuesday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, according to the government, after the ritual began early in the morning with Naga Sadhus of Panchayat Nirvani Akhara taking the holy dip at the Sangam followed by seers of other akharas.

Braving the cold, millions of pilgrims from India and abroad arrived at the Sangam – the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati – for the Amrit Snan. At Brahma Muhurta (period just before sunrise), countless devotees immersed themselves in the holy waters.

Devotees from countries like Greece, Israel and Ukraine joined the Juna Akhara on their spiritual quest on the second day of the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj.

A female devotee from Greece said, "I am Greek. I am happy to be here. All thanks to my (Indian) husband. I am into yoga for last 20 years but now I have got the opportunity to know about Maha Kumbh. This experience is very unique and I feel grateful. It’s a good opportunity to get ‘Moksh’."

Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) president Mahant Ravindra Puri told PTI earlier that the first 'Amrit Snan' of this Maha Kumbh would begin at 5.30 am on Tuesday.

He also said the common terms such as 'shahi snan' and 'peshwai' associated with the Kumbh have been changed to 'Amrit Snan' and 'Chhavni Pravesh' respectively.

Asked what prompted them to coin the terminologies, Mahant Puri, who is also the president of the Mansa Devi Temple Trust in Haridwar, said, "All of us speak words in Hindi and Urdu. It cannot happen that we do not speak any Urdu word." "But we thought that when it comes to our Gods, we should make efforts to have a name in Sanskrit language or have a 'Sanatani' name. Our intention is not to make it as Hindus versus Muslims," he added. (PTI)

The Akharas took ‘Amrit Snan' of the Maha Kumbh Mela on Tuesday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani and Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara were the first ones to take 'Amrit Snan' on Makar Sankranti.

The first 'Amrit Snan' is special in many ways. It took place a day after the first major 'snan' on Monday in the Sangam area on the occasion of 'Paush Purnima'.

Thirteen Akharas of seers from different sects are participating in the Maha Kumbh.

Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev', 'Jai Shri Ram', and 'Jai Ganga Maiyya' chants could be heard as the devotees moved towards the bathing area in groups despite the freezing waters during the cold winter season. (PTI)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, posted on X, "This is the living form of our eternal culture and faith. Today, on the auspicious occasion of the great festival of faith, 'Makar Sankranti', congratulations to all the devotees who earned virtue by taking the first 'Amrit Snan' at the Triveni Sangam in Mahakumbh-2025, Prayagraj!"

The second day of the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 coincides with the festival of Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14. In a dual celebration, lakhs of people were seen flocking the Sangam ghats to take a holy dip.

On the occasion of Makar Sankranti and the Day 2 of the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, lakhs of people converged at the Sangam point to take the holy dip in the first few hours of Tuesday.

Watch, foreigners visit Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh Mela.

The Sanskrit word kumbh means pitcher, or pot. The story goes that when Devas (gods) and Asuras (loosely translated as demons) churned the ocean, Dhanvantri emerged carrying a pitcher of amrita, or the elixir of immortality. To make sure the Asuras don’t get it, Indra’s son, Jayant, ran off with the pot. The Sun, his son Shani, Brihaspati (the planet Jupiter), and the Moon went along to protect him and the pot.

As Jayant ran, the amrita spilt at four spots: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik-Trimbakeshwar. He ran for 12 days, and as one day of the Devas is equal to one year of humans, Kumbh Mela is celebrated at these locations every 12 years, based on the relative positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter. Prayagraj and Haridwar also hold the Ardh-Kumbh (ardh means half), every six years. The festival held after 12 years is called the Poorna Kumbh, or the Maha Kumbh. Read more

A record number of devotees are expected to take part in the first 'Amrit Snan' of the Maha Kumbh Mela on Tuesday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

The first Amrit Snan of Maha Kumbh is special in many ways. It takes place a day after the first major 'snan' which took place on Monday in the Sangam area on the occasion of Paush Poornima. The first Amrit Snan holds significance because the 'Akharas' will be participating in it.

Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) president Mahant Ravindra Puri told PTI that the first Amrit Snan of this Maha Kumbh will begin at 5.30 am on Tuesday.

According to Ashutosh Varshney, the convener of Prayagraj-based Ram Naam Bank (an NGO), this Amrit Snaan will be the first such snaan after the grand Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. PTI

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Monday targeted the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, claiming boatmen were sidelined at the Maha Kumbh with state minister Nand Gopal Gupta dismissing the charge as "baseless".

Sharing a video clip of a foreign news outlet's report on social media, the SP chief criticised the Adityanath government's "treatment" of boatmen in Prayagraj, claiming their concerns were overlooked despite them playing a central role during the Maha Kumbh that went underway on Monday.

In a post on X, Akhilesh Yadav alleged, "Those who guide the world to its destination have been sidelined by the BJP government. The boatmen, whose lives and livelihoods revolve around rowing boats, are now questioning the government: In these circumstances, where will we find our shelter?" He used the hashtag #prayagraj_navik_hadtal to underline the issue. His claims remain unverified.

UP Industrial Development Minister and BJP leader Nand Gopal Gupta hit back and said "When the whole world is experiencing the magnificence of Indian culture, tradition, and spirituality through the Maha Kumbh, people like Akhilesh Yadav choose to spread rumours and lies." PTI

After lakhs of devotees took a dip in Sangam, braving the cold wave on Monday morning, a shower of flower petals – Pushpa Varsha – followed, adding to the festivities in the Mahakumbh 2025. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav)

Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti, who arrived in Prayagraj on Monday to take part in the Maha Kumbh, congratulated Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the grand arrangements for the world's largest religious gathering.

In the post on X, the former MP praised the Uttar Pradesh government for its "exceptional" efforts in ensuring seamless facilities and enhanced security measures for the devotees.

More than 40 crore people, including many from abroad, are expected over 45 days in the mela being held after 12 years. Besides, seers claim the celestial permutations and combinations for the event are taking place after 144 years, making the occasion even more auspicious for the faithful.

"I have been attending the Maha Kumbh at Shri Prayagraj since 1977, but I have never witnessed such excellent arrangements, security, facilities, and the remarkably polite demeanour of the administration and police towards pilgrims. Blessed is India, blessed is Shri Prayagraj, and blessed is this divine Maha Kumbh," Uma Bharti said. PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday congratulated the seers and devotees who took a dip in the Sangam on Paush Purnima, with which the grand festival of Maha Kumbh officially began in Prayagraj.

In a post on X, he said 1.5 crore people bathed in the three-river confluence on the very first day of the festival.

The chief minister also thanked the Mela and Prayagraj administrations, state police, local civic bodies, Swachhagrahis, Ganga Sevadoots, Kumbh Sahayak, and other religious and voluntary organisations for making the first bathing successful. "May the virtues bear fruit, let Mahakumbh go on," he added.

Maha Kumbh Mela will end on February 26 on the occasion of Mahashivratri. PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday hailed the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj as "Maha Kumbh of Unity" that resonated widely on social media with #ekta_ka_mahakumbh trending during the opening day of the Mela.

Users started sharing posts with the hashtag 'Ekta_Ka_Mahakumbh' in Hindi on social media platforms X and Instagram actively right since morning on Paush Purnima Snan Parv to celebrate the event's spiritual and cultural significance. By afternoon, the hashtag topped trending charts, showcasing widespread public participation and the collective spirit of unity symbolised by this historic gathering.

Thousands of users actively shared photos, videos and information related to the event, sparking widespread engagement.

Several hashtags on Maha Kumbh were used in the posts but #ekta_ka_mahakumbh stood out as the most prominent one.

By 3.30 pm, nearly 70,000 users had used the hashtag, sharing their experiences of the massive crowd during the Sangam Snan. PTI

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has developed a dedicated webpage to provide weather updates for the Maha Kumbh, the world's largest religious gathering.

The special webpage for the Maha Kumbh provides information on temperature, wind chill, wind speed and direction, humidity and air quality.

It also offers hourly, three-hourly and weekly forecasts for Prayagraj and neighbouring cities, including Ayodhya, Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur and Varanasi.

The IMD has predicted generally cloudy skies in Prayagraj and nearby regions over the next two to three days along with continuing foggy conditions. PTI

Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Monday said he will be visiting Prayagraj to attend the Maha Kumbh 2025 and will spend three days at the mega congregation.

Extending Makar Sankranti greetings to the “people of Bihar, the whole country and beyond”, Khan also disclosed he has organised a feast of ‘dahi chuda' (curd and flattened rice) at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.

"I have been invited there by three religious leaders whom I revere. I will be spending three days at the congregation,” the governor told reporters on the sidelines of a function organised by Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha. PTI

The Bihar Motor Transport Federation on Monday urged the state government and the Yogi Adityanath administration in adjoining Uttar Pradesh, to give relief to bus operators during the Maha Kumbh 2025.

The federation's president Uday Shankar Prasad Singh came out with a letter addressed to Kumar and Yogi, requesting waiver of "permit" and "entry tax", respectively, for buses ferrying pilgrims from Bihar to Prayagraj.

Talking to PTI , Singh said, “We seek the relief only for Kumbh, the largest Sanatani congregation, which will be over in less than two months.” Singh said the temporary waiver will be of immense help to transporters from Bihar, for whom ferrying pilgrims to the congregation was "a matter of faith, and not an occasion for making money". PTI