Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 highlights: Grand fair sees footfall of more than 66 crore

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: UP CM Yogi Adityanath took to X to offer “hearty congratulations and gratitude” to those who helped create the Maha Kumbh and those who attended it.

In his post he said, “Hearty congratulations and gratitude to all the dignitaries who were the architects of this achievement, all the devotees and Kalpavasis from the country and abroad.”

He added, “The 'Maha Yagya' of humanity, the grand festival of faith, unity and equality, Maha Kumbh-2025, Prayagraj, organized under the guidance of the respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, is moving towards its culmination today with the holy bath of Mahashivratri.”

He also thanked the Maha Kumbh Mela administration, local administration, police administration, sanitation workers, Ganga messengers, voluntary organizations, religious organizations, boatmen and all the departments of the central and state government associated with Maha Kumbh

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: An evening Aarti was performed at the Maha Kumbh to mark the end of the 40-day-long festivities and the occasion of Maha Shivratri

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: More than 66.30 crore people have visited Prayagraj to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela since festivities began on January 13.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: 1.53 crore people have taken the holy bath at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj till 8 pm on the last day of the Maha Kumbh on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, as per an HT correspondent.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: Three-wheeled carts are a life-saver for tired pilgrims on the Triveni Marg at the Kumbh, where no vehicles are allowed.

The carts are pulled by daily wage workers and help pilgrims reach the main city.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva took a holy dip at the Mahakumbh earlier today on the occasion of Mahashivratri.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted an air show over the Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra in honour of the end of religious gathering in Prayagraj.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: According to the Uttar Pradesh government, 64.77 crore people have visited Prayagraj since January 13. The number is greater the populations of all countries except China and India.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta thanked PM Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath for the arrangements made at the Maha Kumbh.

Speaking to ANI, he said, " Maha Kumbh came after 144 years, and this time, more than 65 crore people took a holy dip. It was a very auspicious occasion for the country that 65 crore people came from such far-off places, walking several kilometres. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for making such good arrangements for the Maha Kumbh."

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: More than 1.32 crore people have taken the holy bath at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj till 4 pm on the last day of the Maha Kumbh on the occasion of Mahashivaratri, as per an HT correspondent.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: The Shankaracharya of Kanchi, Kamakoti Peetham Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal, praised the Maha Kumbh, as quoted by news agency ANI on the occasion of Mahashivratri , saying, "In this event, everyone came, including youth, it is wonderful and unusual for these many people to assemble at one place."

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar said on the occasion of the last day of the Maha Kumbh, as quoted by ANI, "Just see how lakhs of people are coming and taking the blessings of Shiva. It's a great day, and today, the Maha Kumbh also concludes. After 1000 years, Somnath has come to bless everybody. Let's wish health, happiness, and prosperity for everyone."

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: Uttar Pradesh police are conducting boat patrols to prevent any mishaps on the last day of the Maha Kumbh.

"Today is the last 'snan parv' at Maha Kumbh on Mahashivratri. Boat patrolling is being done by the Police. Those who have not put on belts on boats are being alerted. If any boat is operating illegally, it is being caught," Prayagraj Additional SP Shwetabh Pandey told ANI.

"Motorboats and any kind of engine-operated boats are not being operated today. Regular boats are operational today. Nine patrolling teams are on duty so that there is no untoward incident. It will continue till the crowd here disperses," he added.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: More than 1.18 crore people have taken the holy bath at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj till 2 pm on the last day of the Maha Kumbh on the occasion of Mahashivaratri, as per an HT correspondent.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: Global spiritual leader Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati praised the success of the Maha Kumbh and stated that it delivered an important message about connecting to the divine, reported ANI.

“This Maha Kumbh was very successful. No one could have thought of this 35-40 days ago that so many people will gather here. This was very huge and a lot of people came here. This gave a very important message that our aim is same. The aim of people of different religions, countries and cultures is the same- to connect with the divine," she said.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live: As per official figures, over 65 crore devotees have, so far, visited this year's Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The 45-day mega Hindu event has garnered extensive coverage from international media, highlighting its unparalleled scale, cultural significance, technological advancements, and the challenges of managing such a massive gathering.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Maha Kumbh Mela hosted more pilgrims than the entire population of the United States, with estimates approaching half a billion attendees over the six-week period. It carried an interesting headline- ‘This Indian Festival Hosts More Pilgrims Than the Population of the U.S.’ CNN covered the arrival of ash-smeared Naga Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, taking ritualistic dips at the confluence of sacred rivers, emphasising the event's deep-rooted traditions. Read more.

Maha Kumbh 2025 live:On the concluding day of Maha Kumbh 2025 and the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, lakhs of devotees have thronged the mela venue to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam. Stunning visuals show a sea of devotees accumulated the sangam nose and panning across the venue.

Devotees continue to arrive in large numbers at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj to be a part of Maha Kumbh on its last day, reported ANI. The Mela will conclude today, 26th February, on Maha Shivratri.

A devotee from Brazil, Danielle, who participated at the Maha Shivratri celebrations on the concluding day of Maha Kumbh said that it was an "amazing and unforgettable" experience for her. Speaking to ANI, she said, "We came from very far, and we are very eager to show all this to our people and our country. The whole Kumbh Mela is amazing... People are very friendly and welcoming... I got to know about Maha Kumbh from my boss who covered the Kumbh Mela 12 years ago. It was my first experience, and it was amazing."

A devotee from London, who took a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh mela on its concluding day on Maha Shivratri said that she felt joy and peace. Talking to ANI, she said, "I feel so much joy and peace. You can feel the environment of the crowd, and it's amazing. Everyone is celebrating today. It feels more special than every other day than I have been here so far... I knew this was once in a lifetime opportunity and cancelled all my plans to come here. That's how important it is... People have been so welcoming and friendly, I am learning so many things about the culture and the importance of everyday ceremonies that happen. I also enjoy watching people collect water from the Ganga to take home for other members of the family who could not make it here. It is beautiful... I learnt about Maha Kumbh from social media and my friends."

Devotees from across the world, including Mexico and the US, participated in the holy snan at the Triveni Sangam on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. Talking to news agency PTI, one of them said, “I am Ana. I have come here with a group of our community. Many people are from Mexico, Colombia and Italy. It’s a 'wow' feeling to witness so much devotion… We witnessed the kindness of people here. Everyone is so welcoming. That’s our biggest takeaway.”

Sharing beautiful visuals of flower petals being showered on devotees taking snan in Maha Kumbh on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, Yogi Adityanath said, "This is a salutation to our spiritual consciousness,

A vibration of faith, harmony, and unity,

A celebration of the all-inclusive nature of the eternal...

Har Har Mahadev"

Huge crowd of pilgrims going to Maha Kumbh turned up at Kanpur Central Station, reported PTI. The Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj is concluding today on Maha Shivratri.

One of the passengers said that it was very difficult to catch a train to Prayagraj.

A devotee at Maha Kumbh told news agency ANI, "I cannot express my sentiments in words... We came here with a lot of excitement... We came here because it is the last day of the #MahaKumbh2025. We are fortunate to have the blessings of Maa Ganga."

Flower petals were showered from chopper over devotees participating in the holy snan at the Maha Kumbh on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.