In a stunning display of devotion, millions of Indians flocked to the banks of the sacred rivers on Wednesday for the last day of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela - a religious festival that has drawn a staggering total of 663 million visitors over its duration.
Television images captured large crowds navigating through temporary townships set up in Prayagraj, where security officials worked diligently to guide thousands of pilgrims around barricades and manage the surging flow of people. “There is a huge rush because it is the last day for all devotees to take a ‘holy dip,’” said a devotee identified only as Rahul. “Thankfully, we were lucky enough to take a holy dip today.”
Organizers had bolstered security and enforced strict traffic controls after complaints of extensive congestion and traffic jams stretching for kilometers near the riverbanks. The massive scale of the event has once again set world records, reaffirming India’s tradition of hosting the largest human gatherings in history.
Held once every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela is regarded as one of Hinduism’s most significant religious events. This year’s festival, described as “maha” or great, was made even more auspicious by a rare celestial alignment—an occurrence that has not been witnessed in 144 years.
The event, which attracts a diverse mix of participants ranging from local devotees and high-ranking officials including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to international figures such as Chris Martin of Coldplay, stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and tradition. However, the celebrations were not without challenges. Last month, a stampede on the festival’s most auspicious day tragically resulted in the deaths of dozens of people and left several injured, casting a shadow over the otherwise jubilant proceedings.
As the final day of the Maha Kumbh Mela concludes, authorities and organizers continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of millions, while devotees leave with the hope and belief that the sacred waters have cleansed them of past sins and paved the way for a new beginning.
The eighth Congress of World and Traditional Religious Leaders has commenced in Astana, bringing together around 100 delegations from 60 countries....
On 16 September, President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Azerbaijan for an official visit that included ce...
Russia and Belarus are rehearsing the launch of Russian tactical nuclear weapons as part of joint war games, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko sa...
Kazakhstan is moving forward with the construction of a major transport and logistics hub, the Kolzhat Dry Port, at its border with China, LS.com repo...
The United States has named Afghanistan among the countries that it says have “failed demonstrably” to meet international counternarcotics obligat...
A deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, left at least seven people dead and dozens injured in the early hours of Wednesday, according to an unnamed official. However, local authorities have yet to confirm the casualties.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
The eighth Congress of World and Traditional Religious Leaders has commenced in Astana, bringing together around 100 delegations from 60 countries.
Russia and Belarus are rehearsing the launch of Russian tactical nuclear weapons as part of joint war games, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday.
The United States has named Afghanistan among the countries that it says have “failed demonstrably” to meet international counternarcotics obligations over the past year. President Donald Trump’s announcement, delivered to Congress on Monday, also included Bolivia, Burma, Colombia and Venezuela.
FBI director Kash Patel will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday on the Kirk murder case, Epstein records, and his leadership of the bureau.
A truck, a cache of explosives, and a pointed accusation: the case unfolding in Tbilisi has quickly become more than a domestic security matter. It now threatens to deepen the cracks in Georgia–Ukraine relations — ties once described as fraternal but increasingly defined by suspicion.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment