Prayagraj: The magnificent and sacred Maha Kumbh has made history as over 60 crore devotees have taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam till Saturday, showcasing an extraordinary display of religious and cultural unity.
This record gathering stands as the largest human participation in any religious, cultural, or social event in history. With an estimated 120 crore Sanatanis worldwide, this means that more than half of the global Sanatani community has already bathed in the holy confluence, seeking spiritual blessings.
With the massive daily influx of tourists and devotees at Mahakumbh, the total number of pilgrims is expected to surpass 65 crore by the final Shivratri Snan on February 26.
This extraordinary achievement has been made possible by the well-organized efforts of the Yogi Adityanath government, ensuring smooth arrangements for devotees. India’s ancient tradition, with
its divine and grand aura, has captivated the entire world, reaffirming the spiritual and cultural significance of Maha Kumbh.
The grand Maha Kumbh has welcomed diplomats from 73 countries, including Bhutan’s King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, along with many international guests who came to take the sacred dip. Besides, more than 50 lakh people from Nepal, the maternal home of Maa Janaki, have bathed in the holy waters of Triveni Sangam, becoming part of this historic event.
India is a deeply religious country, home to multiple faiths, with Sanatan Dharma having the largest following. According to World Population Review and Pew Research, India’s estimated population is 143 crore, out of which 110 crore people follow Sanatan Dharma. Globally, the number of Sanatanis stands at 1.2 billion 120 crore.
A comparison of the number of devotees who have taken a dip at Triveni Sangam reveals that more than 50 percent of the global Sanatani population has participated in the Maha Kumbh. In relation to India’s total population, over 55 percent of Indians have already taken part in this sacred ritual.
The sacred confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati has witnessed an unprecedented number of devotees, ascetics, saints, and pilgrims taking a holy dip, surpassing all expectations.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had predicted that this divine and grand Maha Kumbh would set a
new record in terms of pilgrim participation. Initially, he estimated that around 45 crore devotees would attend and this prediction was already fulfilled by February 11.
As of Saturday the number has exceeded 60 crore, with five more days remaining before the Maha Kumbh concludes. The upcoming Maha Shivratri Snan is expected to further push this number beyond 65 crore.
A breakdown of the major bathing events shows that the highest number of pilgrims, 8 crore participated in the Mauni Amavasya Snan. The Makar Sankranti Snan saw 3.5 crore devotees,
while on January 30 and February 1, more than 2 crore pilgrims bathed each day.
On Paush Purnima, 1.7 crore devotees took a dip, while Basant Panchami recorded 2.57 crore participants. Similarly, on Maghi Purnima, more than 2 crore devotees took the sacred bath at the Triveni Sangam.
