Coming after a gap of 12 years, the royal bath was accompanied by frenzied chants by Naga sadhus belonging to ten akharas (centres of congregation).
Sangam refers to the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
Maha Kumbh Mela, that began at Sangam in Allahabad on the Makar Sankranti day on Monday, is expected to attract nearly 11 crore people, setting a new record for world's largest gathering. Sharat Pradhan reports from the evnie of the mega 55-day festival.
Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi and Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde performed the dhwajarohan (flag-hoisting) ceremony at Ramkunda on the banks of Godavari River.
Thousands of sadhus and sants from across India have congregated in Haridwar to attend the Purna Kumbh Mela at Haridwar.Many of them participated in the Chaitra Purnima Snan at Har ki Pauri, the main ghaat in Haridwar, on Tuesday.
Simhastha Kumbh Mela, the largest congregation of faith in the world, began on Tuesday with the traditional ceremony of hoisting of flags and thousands of people taking a holy dip in Kushawart and Ramkund in Godavari river in the two towns.
'Releasing dam water for a holy bath is the most unholiest thing. No religion propagates polluting or squandering resources.' Professor Hiralal Desarda explains why he went to court against release of water for the Shahi Snan at the Kumbh Mela in Nashik.
Five crore devotees took part in the Kumbh mela on the banks of pious Shipra river this year.
All you wanted to know about the Kumbh Mela
A camp set up at Kumbh Mela ground for Asaram Bapu's discourse was vandalised while several outfits have opposed the proposed visit of the self-styled godman, who has drawn flak for his remarks on the Delhi gang rape victim, at the religious congregation.
The Naga Sadhus at the Kumbh Mela happen to be the most low-profile and reclusive bunch of saints at the religious gathering.
Film director Sanoj Mishra has alleged that the marriage of actress Monalisa Bhonsle to a Muslim man is a case of 'love jihad' and plans to take the matter to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister.
To conserve the environment, the Akhara Council has decided to put a ban on the use of plastic items and loudspeakers at the venue of the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Nashik.
Social distancing norms were violated openly by the seers when they and their followers descended the steps at Har ki Pairi to wade into the river.
Milk booths by Amul and Mother Dairy, a Kumbh phone by Reliance Jio, Dabur's toothpaste dispensers are among the many initiatives by brands steadying for a stint on haloed ground.
The Uttar Pradesh government's oft-repeated claims about the success of the 2013 Kumbh Mela have fallen flat, with the Comptroller and Auditor General pointing out various failures and pitfalls in the mega event.
A bonfire lit by some devotees to beat the cold could have spread to bushes at the foot of the Kailash hill, atop which several VIPs, sadhus and sants were staying in tents.
Braving scorching heat, a multitude of sadhus along with their disciples chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' took 'shahi snan' (royal bath) at Ramghat in Shipra river in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain on Friday.
Sadhus of various akhadas of the Vaishnava sect reached Ramkund in a royal procession carrying golden idols of deities, traditional flags and spears with silver rods.
With husband Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava doing so well at the box office, Katrina Kaif seems to be just as grateful, as she heads to the Maha Kumbh Mela with mother-in-law Veena Kaushal.
Cricket legend Anil Kumble and his wife Chetana Ramathirtha visited the Maha Kumbh Mela and took a dip in the Triveni Sangam.
Rediff.com takes a look at some stunning pictures of the previous Kumbh Mela festivities.
Lost siblings in the Kumbh Mela were once a recurrent theme in Hindi films, but in these modern times, mobile phones are coming to the rescue of many who get separated from friends or families in the world's largest religious gathering. Almost 10 times a minute, the public address system at Hardiwar sets cracking about Raj from Jammu or Koki from Haryana, who are lost or have lost someone close in the sea of humanity.But in modern times, technology helps pilgrims keep track.
This is not just crowd management; this is history in the making, Kumar said in a statement, adding that the sheer scale of this spiritual gathering has pushed has pushed Prayagraj's infrastructure beyond its maximum capacity, making delays in traffic movement inevitable.
Mary Kom, Suresh Raina, Saina Nehwal, Anil Kumble, Deepa Malik and gymnast Dipa Karmakar have taken a dip in the Sangam.
An air ambulance ofIndian Air Force successfully evacuated eight persons, injured in a fire at Kumbh Mela, for emergency medical attention in the national capital.
Monalisa Bhonsle, who gained fame at the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, married her Muslim friend in Kerala after seeking police protection from family pressure. The couple cited Kerala's support for interfaith relationships as their reason for choosing the state.
On Friday, January 17, 2025, a havan was performed for brave martyrs during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, is the world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering, attracting devotees from across the globe. It will continue until Mahashivratri on February 26.
A Kerala court has requested a report from Madhya Pradesh Police regarding allegations of an underage marriage involving a woman who gained attention during the Kumbh Mela and later married her friend at a Kerala temple.
Preparations for the Maha Kumbh are in full swing.
Sadhus from the Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara take part in a Nagar Pravesh procession ahead of the Kumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Kalpwasis are devout Hindus who spend the month of Magh -- the 11th month on the Hindu calendar -- at the Sangam in Prayagraj, listening to sermons, singing bhajans and observing rituals of their faith.
Prayagraj is a must-visit place in 2025, but in January and February you can't miss the Maha Kumbh, a spectacular event like no other.
A stunning book on the Kumbh. And a recipe.
A political controversy has erupted in Kerala surrounding the marriage of a young woman, who gained attention during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, to a Muslim man at a temple. Claims that she was underage at the time of the marriage have led to investigations and accusations of political motives.
'It was as if the sacred waters were washing away not just my sins but also my doubts and burdens,' says Aayushi Agarwal.
MC Mary Kom on Sunday expressed happiness as she was able to participate in the Maha Kumbh.
Film folk visited the Maha Kumbh Mela and take special blessings.
'You don't realise your life has changed in just three days.' 'It's when you come back to the city that it starts hitting you but you now have the power to manage the challenges Life throws at you.'
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