Page 6 - Prayagraj

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

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

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

Mahakumbh 2025 begins: Prayagraj set to see Rs 2 trillion in trade

Mahakumbh 2025 begins: Prayagraj is set to become the largest hub of religious economy in the world as 400 million devotees converge for the biggest religious event

Maha Kumbh 2025: Indian Railways to run 13,000 trains for 40 crore devotees

Railway infrastructure improvements worth Rs 5,000 crore have been made for Maha Kumbh Mela. Indian Railways will operate 1,869 short-distance trains, 706 long-distance trains, and 559 ring trains

Prayagraj weather update: 35 UP districts witness rain ahead of Maha Kumbh

Weather in Prayagraj: The bad weather is raising concerns among devotees and tourists ahead of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. However, farmers are pleased, as the rain is expected to benefit their crops

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Myth, faith, and astrology behind the celebration

This year, the Maha Kumbh, or Poorna Kumbh, is being held in Prayagraj. Celebrated every 12 years, it is one of the world's largest religious events

Mahakumbh begins in Prayagraj with 6 mn people taking holy dip at Sangam

The Maha Kumbh Mela commenced at Sangam --- the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers --- on Tuesday with more than 40 lakh people from different walks of life taking the first holy dip. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that the Maha Kumbh to be held from January 13 to February 26 will elevate India's ancient cultural and religious traditions to global prominence. "So far, more than 40 lakh people have taken a dip," Maha Kumbh Mela officer Vijay Kiran Anand told PTI. Speaking about the significance of 'Paush Purnima', Ashutosh Varshney, the convenor of Prayagraj-based NGO Ram Naam Bank, said the occasion occurs on the 15th day of 'Shukla Paksh' in the Hindu calendar month of 'Paush'. It also marks the initiation of 'Kalpvasa', a period of intense spiritual practice and devotion observed by pilgrims during the Maha Kumbh Mela, he added. The holy city of Prayagraj is now welcoming saints, seers, pilgrims, devotees and citizens from differ

Maha Kumbh 2025: Controversy erupts over Mulayam's statue in fair area

A controversy erupted on Sunday after a statue of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav was installed at a camp in the Maha Kumbh Mela area here, with several seers objecting to it. The statue, around two--three feet tall, was inaugurated on Saturday at the camp in Sector 16 set up by the Mulayam Singh Yadav Smriti Seva Sansthan, Leader of Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey said on Sunday. The move drew criticism from the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad. Its president Mahant Ravindra Puri said that Mulayam Singh Yadav had always been "anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan". SP leader Pandey said that the statue of "Netaji" was inaugurated by him on Saturday. "He was our leader, and the camp was organised to spread his thoughts and ideas." "Pilgrims and other people are welcomed to go to the camp, have food, and stay there. A small statue of Mulayam Singh Yadav has been installed in a symbolic manner," Pandey told reporters. He said the idol will be restored to the

Over 50,000 QR codes to assist pilgrims at Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj

Over 50,000 QR codes are being installed on electricity poles across the Maha Kumbh Mela area, spanning 25 sectors, to assist pilgrims in identifying their location and registering complaints related to electricity issues, a minister of the Uttar Pradesh government said. Speaking during an inspection of the Mahakumbh arrangements in Prayagraj on Sunday, state Minister for Urban Development and Energy, A K Sharma, said, "Currently, over one crore pilgrims from across the country and abroad have gathered at the Mela and the ghats for the holy dip at the Sangam. Over 50,000 QR codes have been installed on electricity poles, which will make it easier for them to determine their location within specific sectors or roads." He added that by scanning the QR codes on their mobile devices, pilgrims can also send suggestions and complaints directly to the control room. According to an official release, Sharma inspected the newly constructed ghats, roads, lighting, drinking water facilities and

Mahakumbh opens on Monday with Rs 25,000 crore revenue expectations

400 mn may join the 45-day congregation; UP expects Rs 2 trn economic spinoff

Youth, students to celebrate Swami Vivekananda's legacy at Maha Kumbh 2025

The Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj is set to witness a "Yuva Maha Kumbh", a mega gathering of youth and students from across the country bound by a common thread: Swami Vivekananda, whose birth anniversary on January 12 is celebrated as National Youth Day. This initiative to mobilise the student community has been undertaken by the Vivekananda Kendra, established in 1972, with its first UP chapter opening in 2006 in Lucknow. The Kendra's motto of 'Man Making and Nation Building' is at its core. "From January 20, the Vivekananda Kendra will hold a Yuva Maha Kumbh at the mega Maha Kumbh. The gathering will include youth and students -- undergraduate, postgraduate, engineering and management students, teachers and those preparing for competitive exams. They will participate in a day-long workshop where the takeaway from Swami Vivekananda's thoughts will be discussed and disseminated," Deep Narayan Pandey (38) head of the Kendra's Lucknow chapter, told PTI. "We will meditate and discuss .

Govt promotes Maha Kumbh with luxury tents, cultural pavilions, flights

An 'Incredible India Pavillion' showcasing cultural heritage and significance of the Kumbh Mela, luxury tents and enhanced air connectivity, the Ministry of Tourism is beckoning people to visit Prayagraj and explore the mega religious congregation that begins from Monday. Expected to host over 40 crore devotees from across the globe, this 45-day festival from January 13 to February 26 is also expected to draw a large number of tourists and cultural aficionados aiming to explore what is billed as one of the largest religious gatherings on earth. The government on Sunday said the Ministry of Tourism is set to make the Maha Kumbh this year a "landmark event" not only for spiritual gatherings, but also for global tourism. The ministry is rolling out several initiatives to celebrate this momentous occasion, aimed at boosting both domestic and international tourism with the Maha Kumbh -- held every 12 years -- set to showcase India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. "To .

Prasar Bharati launches 'Kumbhvani' FM channel dedicated to Maha Kumbh

Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati's radio division Akashvani on Friday launched 'Kumbhvani'-- an FM channel dedicated to disseminating information related to the Maha Kumbh 2025, an official statement said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the FM channel at the Circuit House during the second day of his Prayagraj tour ahead of the mega religious congregation. "Prasar Bharati has launched the OTT-based Kumbhvani FM channel to disseminate comprehensive information about the Maha Kumbh. Broadcasting at a frequency of 103.5 MHz, the channel will be on air from January 10 to February 26, operating daily from 5.55 am to 10.05 pm," the UP government said in the statement. CM Adityanath expressed confidence that 'Kumbhvani' would not only reach new heights of popularity but also extend the spirit of the Maha Kumbh to remote villages where many people, despite their desire, cannot physically attend the event. He emphasised that the channel would serve as a vital medi

Adani group, Iskcon join hands for mahaprasad seva at Prayagraj Maha Kumbh

The Adani Group and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) have joined hands to serve meals to devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj this year. The Mahaprasad Seva will be offered for the entire duration of the Maha Kumbh Mela, from January 13 to February 26. To thank ISKCON for this initiative, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani on Thursday met Guru Prasad Swami, the Chairman of ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC). Speaking about ISKCON's support in offering the Mahaprasad Seva, Adani said, "Kumbh is a sacred place of seva, where every devotee gets involved in the name of seva to God. It is my good fortune that we are starting the 'Mahaprasad Seva' for the devotees at the Maha Kumbh in collaboration with ISKCON. "With the blessings of Maa Annapurna, free food will be provided to lakhs of devotees. Today, I got the opportunity to meet Guru Prasad Swami ji of ISKCON and I deeply experienced the power of dedication towards seva. In the true sense, seva

Mahakumbh Mela: Prayagraj ready for mega event, 7-layer security in place

The state government has also deployed 125 road ambulances and seven river ambulances exclusively for the Mahakumbh

7-layer security scheme being implemented at Maha Kumbh 2025: IG Tarun Gaba

Uttar Pradesh Police launched an intensive checking campaign under the leadership of Deputy Inspector General of Police Vaibhav Krishna (IPS)

Maha Kumbh 2025: Around 56k sq m forests created using Miyawaki technique

The largest plantation, with around 1.2 lakh trees of 63 species, has been done in the Naini industrial area, while 27,000 trees from 27 different species have been planted in Baswar