WITH A massive gathering of more than 1.53 crore pilgrims on Wednesday for the final holy dip on Maha Shivratri, the 45-day Maha Kumbh, which began in Prayagraj on January 13, came to a close. Anticipating the large crowd, the government implemented comprehensive measures to ensure the smooth conduct of rituals on the occasion, officials said.

Patna: For lakhs of devotees, the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj that concluded on Feb 26 was not just an event but a spiritual experience.

The 45-day long Hindu religious event, which began on 13 January, concluded on Maha Shivratri on 26 February. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said in 45 days, 66 crore 21 lakh devotees took holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in Prayagraj.

The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj was marred by several incidents, including stampedes, fire, and road accidents.

Large crowds turned out in northern India on Wednesday for the last day of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela that drew a total of 663 million people seeking absolution of their sins by taking a dip in waters that devout Hindus consider sacred.

Devotees continue to arrive in large numbers at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on the last day of Maha Kumbh 2025, coinciding with Maha Shivratri.The world's largest religious gathering, which began on Paush Purnima (January 13),