Chimes of cymbals, holy chants and kaleidoscopic colours of India fused into each other at the Triveni Sangam on Wednesday as millions of pilgrims from various parts of the country and abroad converged at the holy confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati on Mahashivratri to take a dip on the last day of the Maha Kumbh here.

On the final bathing festival of Mahashivratri, this unparalleled spiritual gathering crossed the 65-crore mark, making it the largest congregation ever witnessed in the world. By 10 am on Wednesday, 81.09 lakh people had already taken the holy dip, chanting Har Har Gange, Bam Bam Bhole and Jai Shri Ram, filling the entire Maha Kumbh Mela area with divine energy.

Following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s special directives, elaborate security arrangements ensured an incident-free experience for the devotees. DIG Vaibhav Krishna and SSP Rajesh Dwivedi personally oversaw the on-ground operations to maintain order and ensure the smooth flow of pilgrims.

As pilgrims milled around and took the holy dip at various ghats at or near the Sangam, security personnel kept a vigilant eye, not allowing crowding at any place for long duration, as they sought to manage the sea of pilgrims pouring into the mela grounds.

The grand spectacle saw participation from sages, saints, mahamandaleshwars, and devotees from across India and abroad, all immersing themselves in the sacred waters.

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 the ‘Brahma Muhurt’, scores of them performed the bathing rituals well before the appointed time.

Beyond caste distinctions, this holy bath stood as a powerful emblem of the eternal beauty and unity of Sanatan dharma.

The sheer scale of participation in the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh is staggering. Compared with India’s total population, nearly 50 per cent of the country has taken the holy dip in the Triveni Sangam. Among followers of Sanatan dharma, this accounts for over 60 per cent of India’s Sanatani population and about 55 per cent worldwide.

The Maha Kumbh drew devotees from every corner of the globe, with diplomats from 73 countries and guests, including Bhutan’s King Jigme Namgyel Wangchuk. More than 50 lakh devotees from Nepal, the land of Mata Janaki’s maternal home, also participated. Pilgrims from Italy, France, the UK, Portugal, the USA, Israel, Iran, Mauritius, and numerous other nations arrived to witness this unparalleled spiritual event.

This ancient tradition of India has mesmerised the world with its spiritual grandeur. The seamless organisation of this mega event has been made possible by the visionary leadership and meticulous planning of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Chief Minister Yogi had predicted that this Maha Kumbh would set a new benchmark in terms of participation. Initially estimating 45 crore devotees, the numbers surged past expectations. On February 11, the 45-crore mark was crossed, reaching 60 crore by February 22.

The historic event also turned into a visual spectacle, as devotees eagerly captured the moment on their mobile phones. From selfies to group photos, devotees documented their experience, while many live-streamed the spiritual gathering to their families and friends worldwide, sharing the grandeur of Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh.

Mahashivratri commemorates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and holds special significance in the context of the Kumbh Mela.

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 (nectar pitcher), the very essence of the Kumbh Mela.

The day draws large crowds of devotees to the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, considered holy by Hindus.

As the Maha Kumbh concludes with the final holy dip on Mahashivratri, its echoes will continue to resonate worldwide. Inspired by the unwavering resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi, this Maha Kumbh has been a magnificent display of spiritual power and a reflection of India’s cultural grandeur and economic strength —  aptly termed by Modi as the ‘Mahakumbh of Unity’.