66 crore participation, millions from China, world at awe; Curtains fall on Maha Kumbh Mela 2025

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which displayed the spiritual tradition of India dating back to ancient times, held in Prayagraj, UP, concluded on Thursday morning. Over 66.44 crore devotees took a dip in the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers during the Maha Kumbh Mela, which takes place only once in 144 years. In this era, to see such a great confluence of people, all joining hands to preserve and celebrate one of world's ancient cultures, is inspiring and marvellous nonetheless. Yogi Adityanath government of UP, the organizers of the Kumbh Mela, expected 44 crore people to be part of the festival, but breaking all predictions, as many as 66 crore admirers of this tradition poured into the divine land, leaving the whole world in awe.

This participation will not be rivalled by other such events across the world anytime soon. It was mankind’s largest gathering ever for any religious event. Even atheists and Agnostics were in the millions at the site to witness the marvel of Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh of 2025 was India's message of unity to the world. Roughly half of the Indian population came to the Maha Sangam to experience the spiritual fulfilment of the Kumbh Mela. More than three crore people took the holy dip in the Ganges on the last day of the festival. Interestingly, after Indians, the largest number of participants in the Kumbh Mela were from China.

The Kumbh Mela, which occurs once in twelve years, and the Maha Kumbh Mela, which occurs once in 144 years, have been an integral part of Indian tradition since ancient times.

Before the start of the Kumbh Mela, there was a covert attempt from many corners of the country to denigrate the festival with omens, criticisms and ridicule. Using the usual trope, many within the country spread rumours that bathing in Ganga would lead to scabies and even demanded that the money spent on the pilgrimage be used wisely for the nation's development.

Dissenters and cynics even tried jibes at Naga monks, who follow a special way of life in the hills and caves. Some others fired shots at the BJP government for changing the Kumbh Mela as part of an attempt to increase political mileage.

Not minding the barrage of criticism, the UP government worked tirelessly day and night to ensure the success of the Kumbh Mela while the central administrators provided all the help for it. The immense help provided by the country's leading industrialists and their organizations deserves special mention. The elaborate arrangements made by the organizers for the event were unparalleled.

Not only crores of ordinary devotees, but also elite names such as India's President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, political leaders, industrial and commercial leaders, scientists and education experts were at Prayagraj to take the holy dip. By participating and being a part of a spiritual gathering like the Maha Kumbh Mela, a true devotee gets the energy to rekindle the faith and tradition tenfold.

People have the right to choose their path of devotion. Despite all the efforts to deter people, the jibes and planned propaganda, 66 crore people attended the event. It serves as a valid message for the detractors. Even at a time when the world is progressive by a mile, the valiant efforts and tactics to torpedo the divine event fell flat. Even lakhs of women from tier 1 countries from the west came all way to attend the event. It was a hit in the face of the detractors.

The economic prospects of the mela is not bad either. As per reports, the event brought two lakh crore rupees to the exchequer of UP. This amount may increase in the final calculation. However, there is no doubt that the Maha Kumbh Mela has become a major source of revenue for UP.

The Kumbh Mela is also meant to increase the prestige and influence of the Adityanath-Modi governments in the political arena. This should scare the opposition for all good reasons.

For all Indians and people across the world, Maha Kumbh Mela was a great opportunity to acquire a unique experience. Another 144-year wait begins today.