The holy city of Ayodhya on Wednesday (February 26, 2025) witnessed a massive influx of devotees on Maha Shivratri as thousands gathered to offer prayers at Shiva temples across the city, as the 45-day Maha Kumbh drew to a close..
A surge of devotees from nearby districts descended on Ayodhya to perform the sacred ‘Jalabhishek’, offering water and milk to Lord Shiva. Officials estimated that around 1.5 million devotees had reached Ayodhya by Tuesday, with the crowds swelling further on Wednesday.
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Maha Kumbh, the spectacle that takes place once in 12 years, began on January 13 (Paush Purnima) and saw grand processions of Naga Sadhus and three ‘Amrit Snans’. The mega religious gathering has drawn a record over 65 crore pilgrims so far.
Being the last auspicious ‘snan’ of the Maha Kumbh, a large number of devotees had begun to gather on the banks of the Sangam from close to midnight, and while some camped and waited patiently to take the dip at ‘Brahma Muhurt’, scores of them performed the bathing rituals much before the appointed time.
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Billed as the world’s largest spiritual gathering on earth, the mega religious festival on its last day attracted pilgrims from all four corners of the country.
(With inputs from PTI)
Photo:
R.V. Moorthy
Devotees in large number gather to take the holy bath at the Triveni Sangam on the occassion of Maha Shivratri and the culmination of Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj on February 26, 2025.
Photo:
PTI
A drone shot showing Sangam area on the occasion of Maha Shivratri festival during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj, on February 26, 2025.
Photo:
PTI
Devotees perform rituals as they take a holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of Maha Shivratri during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj, on February 26, 2025.
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Devotees perform rituals as they take a holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of Maha Shivratri during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj, on February 26, 2025.
Photo:
PTI
An aerial view of devotees taking a holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of ‘Mahashivratri’ during the ongoing ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on February 26, 2025.
Photo:
AP
Devotees take holy dips at the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati on Shivaratri, the final day of Maha Kumbh festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on February 26, 2025.
Photo:
AP
Government officials shower flower petals from a helicopter on pilgrims at the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati on Shivaratri, the final day of Maha Kumbh festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on February 26, 2025.
Photo:
AP
Devotees wait for dawn under an hanger to take ritualistic dips at the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati on Shivaratri, the final day of Maha Kumbh festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on February 26, 2025.
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Getty Images
A Sadhu offers prayers near a ‘Rudraksha bead’ Shivalinga on the last auspicious holy bathing day of Maha Kumbh on February 26, 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Photo:
Getty Images
Devotees cross a narrow stream of Ganga river as they leave after taking holy dip at Sangam, confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythological Saraswati rivers on the last auspicious holy bathing day of Maha Kumbh ‘Shivaratri’ on February 26, 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Photo:
R.V. Moorthy
Flower petals being showered on devotees gathered to take the holy bath at the Triveni Sangam on the occassion of Maha Shivratri and the culmination of Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj on February 26, 2025.
Photo:
R.V. Moorthy
Devotees in large number gathered to take the holy bath at the Triveni Sangam on the occassion of Maha Shivratri and the culmination of Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj on February 26, 2025.
Photo:
AP
Boats of devotees are anchored at the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati on Shivaratri, the final day of Maha Kumbh festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on February 26, 2025.
Photo:
R.V. Moorthy
Devotees in large number gathered to take the holy bath at the Triveni Sangam on the occassion of Maha Shivratri and the culmination of Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj on February 26, 2025.
Photo:
R.V. Moorthy
Devotees in large number take the holy bath at the Triveni Sangam on the occassion of Maha Shivratri and the culmination of Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj on February 26, 2025.
Published – February 26, 2025 06:25 pm IST