Mahakumbh: 1.5 Crore takes a Dip in Ganga On the First Day

Maha kumbh Mela, the world’s biggest religious gathering started on Monday in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. With anticipated footfall of 45 crore pilgrims coming to the Mela so far 1.5 crore people have taken a holy dip also known as the ‘Shahi Snan’ in the river Ganga. The mela will take place for 45 days; it begins on January 13 and ends on February 26; the Mela region has been transformed into a pilgrim safety fortress by implementing a seven-ring security system.

Foreigner devotees were also seen at Mahakumbh

Devotees have come to this mela in Prayagraj from every corner of the country. Many foreigner devotees were also seen performing the dip at the ghats. Laurene Powell Jobs or ‘Kamala’, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was also seen taking a dip in the river. Apart from this the Uttar Pradesh Government of Yogi Adityanath was seen showering flowers on devotees from a helicopter. According to media reports with a budget of Rs 6,990 crore, the Uttar Pradesh government has started 549 projects that include sanitation to infrastructure development.

UP Government’s efforts

More than 40 UP government ministers have been to 28 states and Union territories in the last month to personally deliver festival invitations. In order to help with crowd control, population density analysis, and incident reporting, some 2,300 CCTV cameras have been installed throughout the 10,000-acre Maha Kumbh site and Prayagraj. These cameras are watched over by control centers. PM Modi took a heartfelt gratitude and welcomed the devotees by posting on X, “A very special day for crores of people who cherish Bharatiya values and culture! Mahakumbh commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion and culture. The Mahakumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony.”