Maha Shivratri on February 26 marked the grand conclusion of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, as thousands of devotees gathered at Triveni Sangam for the final holy dip.
Maha Shivratri at Maha Kumbh 2025: The grand festival’s final day began early on February 26, as devotees thronged Triveni Sangam at dawn for the last special ‘snan’ on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri.
With this, the six-week-long Maha Kumbh Mela—the world’s largest spiritual gathering in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh—comes to a close.
Maha Shivratri is a significant Hindu festival, marking the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. However, in the Maha Kumbh context, it holds even greater importance. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva played a crucial role in the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), which led to the emergence of the Amrit Kumbh (pitcher of nectar)—the very essence of the Kumbh Mela.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which commenced on January 13, featured six special ‘snan’ (holy dips), including three ‘Amrit Snan’ days. The bathing rituals took place on:
- Paush Purnima (January 13)
- Makar Sankranti (January 14)
- Mauni Amavasya (January 29)
- Basant Panchami (February 3)
- Maghi Purnima (February 12)
- Maha Shivratri (February 26), marking the final sacred dip.
Maha Kumbh Mela: Maha Shivratri 2025 | Key Highlights
- Final Holy Dip at Triveni Sangam
In the early hours of Wednesday, devotees rushed to Triveni Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati—for the final ‘snan’ of Maha Kumbh Mela on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. - No Vehicle Zone & No VIP Privileges
To manage the heavy footfall, the entire Kumbh Mela area was declared a ‘no vehicle zone.’ DIG (Kumbh) Vaibhav Krishna emphasized that no VIP privileges would be given to anyone on this day. - Advisory for Devotees
The Uttar Pradesh government issued an extensive advisory, directing devotees to designated ghats based on their entry points. Locations such as Harishchandra Ghat, Old GT Ghat, Arail Ghat, Bharadwaj Ghat, and Ram Ghat were recommended for smoother crowd management. - Tight Security Arrangements
The administration prepared for an expected surge in devotees, surpassing Tuesday’s count of 1.33 crore. Elaborate security measures were in place, including the deployment of 37,000 police personnel, 14,000 home guards, and real-time monitoring of social media for misinformation. - AI Surveillance & Crowd Monitoring
Security was further strengthened with 2,750 AI-powered CCTV cameras, three Jal Police stations, 18 Jal Police control rooms, and 50 watchtowers to oversee crowd movement and ensure safety. - Indian Railways’ Special Arrangements
To facilitate devotees’ return after the final ‘Amrit snan,’ the Indian Railways operated 350 additional trains from Prayagraj. During Mauni Amavasya, more than 360 special trains had transported over 20 lakh passengers. - Railway Precautions Amid Stampede Risks
North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway, and Northern Railway were placed on high alert following recent stampede incidents. Over 60 trains, including special Mela trains, operated until 4 PM Tuesday, with 25 more running on Maha Shivratri. Security at key stations was tightened, with a heavy deployment of RPF personnel and commercial staff. - Direct Supervision by Railway Minister
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw personally monitored railway operations, alongside Railway Board Chairman & CEO Satish Kumar. Senior officials from three railway zones coordinated efforts to manage the passenger surge. - Fire Safety Measures
Amid multiple fire incidents—though none fatal—fire safety was reinforced. Chief Fire Officer Pramod Sharma stated that 50 fire stations and 20 fire posts were on standby to handle any emergencies. - CM Yogi Adityanath’s Message
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended greetings to devotees, emphasizing Maha Shivratri’s role in inspiring social welfare. He highlighted Lord Shiva’s universal reverence and the Jyotirlingas as symbols of national integration.
