Page 12 - Maha Kumbh Mela

Maha Kumbh: Govt's digital exhibition gives insights into different schemes

The exhibition showcases various schemes like the Nari Shakti Vandan Act and the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, which are bringing to life to Government of India's vision of empowering women

Iskcon, Adani Group tie up to give meals to nearly 100k daily at Maha Kumbh

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in partnership with the Adani Group, is providing meals to nearly one lakh people daily at the ongoing Maha Kumbh, a spiritual organisation's official said. At a camp on Harshvardhan Marg here, ISKCON's one kitchen prepares food for 30,000 - 35,000 people in one session, and more than one lakh people are served food in three sessions a day, its Director (CSR) Madhukant Das told PTI. ISKCON's food -- which includes dal, chole or rajma, vegetables and roti and rice, and halwa or boondi laddu in sweets-- is completely balanced. These meals are prepared on a clay stove over a fire of wood and cow dung cakes, which makes them taste amazing, he added. Das said meals are being distributed at 40 centres across Prayagraj, including bus stands, railway stations and several holding areas, where the crowd of devotees are halted on the main bathing days. He also informed that the food is also being distributed to 15,000 employees ...

Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Over 2.5 mn pilgrims visit on sixth day till 4 pm

As of Friday, January 17, more than 73 million pilgrims have visited the Mahakumbh Mela so far, as per data

Send officers to Prayagraj 'to study crowd management': UP govt asks NPA

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that his government has written to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy to send officers at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj "to study crowd management and other varied aspects" of their duties. "The one thing that has stood out this time is police behaviour. We deployed young police officers for Maha Kumbh duty after training them. We have also written to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy to send young officers here to study crowd management and other varied aspects associated with a mega arrangement of this kind," Adityanath told senior journalists at his 5, Kalidas Marg residence here this evening. "Where else would they (young officers) get an opportunity of this nature to study so much, learn so much directly on the spot?" he asked. Adityanath also said most leading global institutions are currently conducting studies and research on various aspects of the Maha Kumbh, which began in ...

Mahakumbh: Innovation welcome, but ensure brand connect, pilgrim welfare

I have no quarrel with all the innovative thinking that guides many brands' Kumbh initiatives -- just that the motive should be brand connect and pilgrim welfare

Maha Kumbh: Over 2.5 mn devotees take holy dip at Triveni Sangam on 4th day

The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri)

Maha Kumbh 2025: UP's handicraft industry to witness Rs 35 crore trade

The Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj is proving to be a significant platform for artisans of Uttar Pradesh. Officials estimate a turnover of about Rs 35 crore for the handicraft industry during the 45-day fair. After taking a dip in the Sangam, people are also visiting the 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) exhibition set up across 6,000 square metres area. The exhibition showcases an array of exquisite handicrafts, including carpets of Kushinagar, zari-zardozi work, Firozabad's glass toys and Varanasi's wooden toys, among other things. Joint Commissioner of Industries in Prayagraj Division, Sharad Tandon, said a remarkable growth in business is expected this time over the last Kumbh held in 2019. "In 2019, the turnover was Rs 4.30 crore, but this time we anticipate a turnover of up to Rs 35 crore. This remarkable increase will offer new opportunities for employment and empower small entrepreneurs," Tandon said. Besides, the online marketplace Flipkart has set up a stall in the fair area w

Steve Jobs' wife Laurene Powell takes spiritual initiation at Maha Kumbh

Philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has received spiritual initiation from her guru Swami Kailashanand Giri, the seer's aide said here on Wednesday. Powell, who has spent three days at a camp at the Maha Kumbh, has been given the spiritual name "Kamala" by her guru. Swami Kailashanand Giri is the Mahamandaleshwar or head seer of Panchayati Akhada Shri Niranjani. "Lauren Powell Jobs was initiated last night. Guruji gave her the sacred Kali Beej Mantra during the ceremony. The offerings she made as guru dakshina remain undisclosed," Giri's media advisor Shagun Tyagi told PTI. The initiation ceremony, held at Swami Kailashanand Giri's camp, was attended by his personal secretary Avantikanand and Powell's secretary. Giri, while attending the Amrit Snan ritual at the Sangam Ghat on Wednesday, said, "On Monday, Kamala faced some difficulty in navigating through the crowd, so she stayed at the camp. She is very humble and curious about Sanatan ...

Maha Kumbh 2025: Bookings, airfares fly high for Prayagraj flights

Bookings as well as airfares for flights to Prayagraj have jumped multi-fold as more people travel for the Maha Kumbh, with the air ticket prices rising up to 21 per cent for the Delhi-Prayagraj flights. According to an analysis by travel portal ixigo, the one-way airfare between Bhopal and Prayagraj has surged the maximum at 498 per cent to Rs 17,796 from Rs 2,977 last year. These are one-way average fares on 30 days APD (advanced purchase date) basis for the January 13 to February 26, 2025, compared to the year-ago period. While the airfare from Delhi to Prayagraj has risen 21 per cent to Rs 5,748, the jump is 13 per cent to Rs 6,381 for the Mumbai-Prayagraj flight. The rise in the air ticket price is 89 per cent for the Bengaluru-Prayagraj service to Rs 11,158 while the increase is 41 per cent to Rs 10,364 for the Ahmedabad-Prayagraj flight, as per the analysis. For the flights to Lucknow and Varanasi, cities that are near Prayagraj where the Maha Kumbh is happening, airfares h

Consumer goods brands rush to grab eyeballs as pilgrims come for Mahakumbh

From putting products on display at stalls to setting up resting camps for pilgrims, consumer goods companies have been scrambling to showcase brands at Mahakumbh as devotees throng in record numbers to take a holy dip at Sangam -- the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati. Top brands, including Dettol, Dabur, Pepsico, Coca-Cola, and corporate houses such as ITC and Reliance have set up camp ashrams, lined up their products, and are distributing samples and refreshments. The unmissable signage boards make one thing clear: the companies are expecting to make their presence felt in the coming days. The brands -- which have been facing headwinds owing to multiple factors led by rising prices and tepid sales in urban markets -- are taking the Mahakumbh as an opportunity to directly engage with the consumers -- especially the rural population -- and communicating with them through a host of special initiatives over 45-day-long events, in which about 40 crore peopl

From aerospace engineer to seer: Meet IITian Baba at Mahakumbh 2025

A former IIT Bombay aerospace engineer, the seer spotted at the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela, is said to have left science to embrace spirituality

UP CM extends wishes to devotees on first Amrit Snan of Maha Kumbh festival

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday congratulated over 3.5 crore saints, Kalpvasis and devotees on taking a holy dip in Sangam at Maha Kumbh on the auspicious occasion of the Makar Sankranti. On the Amrit Snan festival on Tuesday, more than 3.50 crore revered saints or devotees took a holy dip in the pure Triveni, he said. In a post on X, he said, "Hearty congratulations to all the revered saints, Kalpvasis and devotees who took a holy dip of faith in the holy Sangam on the auspicious occasion of the holy 'Makar Sankranti' in the grand gathering of faith, equality and unity 'Maha Kumbh-2025, Prayagraj." On the successful completion of the first Amrit Snan festival, heartfelt thanks to all the revered Akharas based on Sanatan Dharma, Maha Kumbh Mela administration, local administration, police administration, sanitation workers, voluntary organisations and religious institutions, boatmen and all the departments of the Central and State Government associated with .

Around 35 mn take dip in Maha Kumbh on 1st 'Amrit Snan' on Makar Sankranti

Seers from various 'akharas' took the first 'Amrit Snan' at the Maha Kumbh on Makar Sankranti on Tuesday as an unbroken stream of people converged at the Triveni Sangam on the occasion with around 3.5 crore devotees taking a dip. Leading most of the akharas were ash-smeared Naga sadhus or naked seers who mesmerised onlookers with their discipline and mastery of traditional weapons. From skilfully wielding spears and swords to energetically playing the 'damru', their demonstrations were a vibrant celebration of age-old traditions, an official statement said. In addition to the male Naga sadhus, female Naga ascetics were also present in significant numbers. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, around 3.5 crore devotees took a dip on Tuesday, almost double the first day's figure. While the the first major 'snan' of the Maha Kumbh was on Monday on the occasion of 'Paush Purnima', the akharas or the members of the Hindu monastic orders took their first snan on Makar Sankranti. S

Engineer Baba to model Harsha: Youths throng Maha Kumbh in search of peace

"Engineer Baba" is a former Aerospace Engineering student from IIT Bombay. Hailing from Haryana, he is introducing devotees in Maha Kumbh to the profound depths of spirituality using scientific principles. There are others like Engineer Baba who have renounced the worldly life to venture into spirituality. They have become major attractions in the Maha Kumbh which started on Monday. Anchors, models and engineers, both from India and abroad, are increasingly embracing the Sanatan faith and spirituality, according to an official statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh government. Several inspiring stories have emerged during the Maha Kumbh. Among them is one of originally Abhay Singh, known as Engineer Baba. He is a former Aerospace Engineering student from IIT Bombay. He has captivated the devotees at the Maha Kumbh with his unique approach, blending scientific knowledge with spiritual wisdom. Using diagrams and visual presentations, he simplifies complex spiritual concepts, making the

Dreadlocked ascetics among 25 million to take a dip at Maha Kumbh festival

Nearly 15 million people, more than double the 6 million population of the city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, had taken a ritual dip on Monday, when the six-week festival

UP govt showers flowers from helicopters on devotees at Maha Kumbh

Rose petals were showered on devotees during their 'Amrit Snan' at the Maha Kumbh on Makar Sankranti, draping the ghats and akharas at the Sangam bank with flowers. As the rose petals rained down on the devotees, they responded with chants of Jai Shri Ram and Har Har Mahadev. The Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement, "The Horticulture Department, following the directives of the Yogi Adityanath government, had been meticulously preparing for the flower showers at the Maha Kumbh Mela for weeks. Special arrangements were made to procure and store rose petals to ensure an uninterrupted shower during the bathing festivals." "Preparations have been made for flower showers on all major 'snan parv' (bathing rituals) of Maha Kumbh, with plans to use around 20 quintals of rose petals for each occasion," it added. Rose petals were showered on the devotees on Monday, too, during the first bathing festival 'Paush Purnima Snan'. The Horticulture Department ensured sufficient stock for t

Weather in Prayagraj: Temperature dips in Prayagraj, devotees shiver

The India Meteorological Department predicts cold winds to blow at about 8 km/h in the Maha Kumbh Mela area. Devotees to face severe cold in the coming days

Railway introduces special trains ahead of Maha Kumbh 2025, details inside

Western Railway has launched special trains for the Maha Kumbh 2025. 98 special trains have been introduced with a focus on passenger convenience, hygiene and the proper functioning

Maha Kumbh: Prayagraj Railways has special action plan for Makar Sankranti

The Prayagraj Railway Division has designed a specific action plan for each station ahead of Makar Sankranti, Jan 14. Ahead of the festival, the division will run approx 13K trains on Maha Kumbh 2025

Mahakumbh 2025: 10 mn gather at Sangam; first Amrit Snan begins on Sankranti

Over 10 million devotees gathered at Triveni Sangam on Makar Sankranti for the first Amrit Snan of Mahakumbh 2025, with Akharas leading sacred rituals amid extensive arrangements