The Mela administration alleged that the Shankaracharya and his supporters broke a barricade on a pontoon bridge and moved towards the ghats, creating serious difficulties for the police in managing the situation.
A visual journey through some major events of 2025, from the spiritual grandeur of Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj to the strategic success of Operation Sindoor, India's decisive military response following the Pahalgam terror attack.
The annual Magh Kumbh Mela 2026 is underway at Prayagraj from January 3 to February 15.
The action was taken after a Prayagraj court directed that a case be registered on an application moved by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj and others.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray has voiced strong opposition to the cutting of trees for the construction of a 'Sadhu Gram' in Nashik ahead of the Kumbh Mela, urging the government to reconsider the decision. Actor Sayaji Shinde has also joined the protest, threatening opposition if the government proceeds with the tree removal.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati addresses sexual abuse allegations, asserting his innocence and claiming the charges are fabricated. An FIR was lodged against him and his disciple following a court order.
Tensions between Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have drawn national attention in recent months.
Avimukteshwarananda has been in the headlines for his confrontation with the organisers of the Magh Mela in Prayagraj.
Amid the row, the mela administration issued a notice asking Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati to explain how he was using the title of Shankaracharya of the Jyotish Peeth.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati protests a notice from the Magh Mela administration regarding his use of the 'Shankaracharya' title, alleging discrimination and questioning the presence of multiple Shankaracharyas from Puri at the event.
A GST Deputy Commissioner, Prashant Kumar Singh, resigned in protest against Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand's remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, citing attempts to divide the nation on caste and religious lines.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered the reopening of 14 tourist spots in the Union territory after a security review following the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that Sonia Gandhi had asked him to decide on his swearing-in date as CM in 2014, but the situation changed after Rahul Gandhi intervened. Sarma, who later joined the BJP, believes the events led him to a better position to serve Assam and Sanatan dharma.
The tragedy struck the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Mela on Saturday evening, when about 19 people were riding the swing before it suddenly tilted and then crashed onto the ground.
Maha Shivratri, one of India's most revered Hindu festivals, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and celebrated with deep devotion across the country.
An investigation has been launched into the authenticity of the disability certificate of Prashant Kumar Singh, who resigned as GST Deputy Commissioner in protest against remarks made against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The probe was initiated following a complaint filed in 2021.
Social media platform X argues that satire, fair comment, and public speech should be protected from takedown orders in personality rights cases during a Delhi High Court hearing involving Baba Ramdev's lawsuit.
Influencer Harsha Richhariya, known for promoting Sanatan Dharma, has decided to step away from the religious path due to continuous criticism and mental stress.
'On our first day at the Kumbh Mela, there was a fire and shook our confidence. 'There must have been a few crore people there.' 'How do we place the camera in between them?'
Alankar Agnihotri said several organisations of the upper-caste community would participate in the stir if the central government fails to withdraw the SC/ST Act by February 6.
The Maharashtra Cabinet Infrastructure Committee has approved a 35-km Metro project to connect the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai international airports at a cost of over Rs 22,000 crore.
Alankar Agnihotri, a 2019-batch Provincial Civil Service officer, resigned from service citing deep disagreement with government policies, especially the new UGC regulations.
Modi urged the youngsters to celebrate when they or a person around them becomes a voter for the first time.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri on charges of indiscipline after he resigned from service in protest against government policies.
Makar Sankranti is one of the year's first festivals of India. The country joyfully kicks off the year with a tapestry of colours and traditions: Gujarat's soaring kites. Punjab's blazing bonfires. Tamil Nadu's bubbling Pongal pot....
'The photographs showcase the different emotions of India and power of faith. For someone who couldn't visit the historic event, the pictures take me there.'
Mark Tully, the renowned journalist, author, and Indophile, has passed away at the age of 90. He spent a lifetime in India as a journalist, mingling with its people and telling their stories.
These 8 states emerged as the country's most-travelled destinations for local Indian visitors, according to Ministry Of Tourism's most recent statistics which are from 2024.
From religious gatherings to public events, 2025 witnessed a series of stampedes and crowd-related incidents that exposed the fragile line between mass participation and human tragedy, leaving behind loss, questions, and urgent lessons on crowd safety.
A stunning book on the Kumbh. And a recipe.
The flag will be taken down on July 24, 2028, which will mark the conclusion of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which is held once in 12 years.
Protests continue in Kolkata against attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari threatens a large-scale protest if the attacks are not stopped.
The usual rush of devotees was missing this year, presumably due to the Pahalgam terror attack and the military action between India and Pakistan following it.
India's Deepavali (Diwali), the festival of light, has been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during a meeting held at the Red Fort in Delhi.
Following the stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj early on Wednesday, which killed at least 30 people and injured 60 others, many devotees find themselves trapped due to blocked exit routes and severe traffic jams.
Looking at the film folk at the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Composer Sidhant Bhatia, singer Raja Kumari, singer-producer Raghav Mehta and mixing engineer Deepak PA talk about Sounds of Kumbha, which is shortlisted for the Grammys in the Best Global Music Album category.
'There are literally millions of people in this photo, for an event that has not happened in 144 years'
Today's scenes from the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj...
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and Preeti Adani distribute food at the ISKCON temple camp during the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj on Tuesday, January 21, 2025
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