Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Over 10 crore devotees gather at sangam in first 11 days

The ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj has seen an overwhelming turnout, with over 10 crore devotees taking part in the sacred dip at the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet. This significant milestone was reached on Thursday, January 23, at 12 PM. The Uttar Pradesh government, which is hosting the world’s largest religious gathering, expects the total number of attendees to reach 45 crore by February 26.

On Thursday alone, around 30 lakh devotees bathed at the Sangam by midday, including 10 lakh 'kalpvasis' (devotees observing religious vows). The number of pilgrims has steadily risen, with lakhs arriving daily, especially during the bathing festivals, when the crowds swell into crores.

The Yogi Adityanath government had earlier projected that the total number of pilgrims would surpass 45 crore by the end of the Mela, which started on January 13 and will continue until February 26.

Despite the massive crowds, life in Prayagraj has remained largely unaffected. Local authorities have implemented restrictions only on major festival days, while schools, businesses, and daily activities continue to operate normally.

Notably, the highest number of devotees—around 3.5 crore—bathed during the Makar Sankranti festival, and over 1.7 crore participated in the Paush Purnima festival. Devotees from across India and abroad continue to arrive, eager to take part in this sacred event.