The third day of the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj kicked off with thousands of devotees gathering at the ghats of Triveni Sangam on Wednesday morning for a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath revealed that over 3.5 crore devotees took the sacred dip on Tuesday, marking the first day of the ‘Amrit Snan.’ Helicopters showered rose petals on devotees following the conclusion of the Amrit Snan on Tuesday evening.
Unprecedented Security Measures at Kumbh Mela 2025
To ensure safety during the 45-day event, the Uttar Pradesh police have deployed thousands of personnel, along with 11 tethered drones and anti-drone systems for enhanced aerial surveillance. According to DGP Prashant Kumar, around 50 crore people are expected to visit Prayagraj, including over 20 lakh international travelers. An ATS para commando team is on-site, and water security has been reinforced to manage the high influx of tourists.
Mahakumbh: History and Significance
The Kumbh Mela has roots in ancient Hindu texts, such as the Mahabharata and Puranas. The festival is tied to the Samudra Manthan (ocean churning), where drops of the nectar of immortality fell at four locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. Known as the world’s largest religious gathering, the Kumbh Mela holds immense spiritual importance for Hindus, offering participants an opportunity to cleanse their sins and seek Moksha, or liberation.