Over 3.5 crore devotees take holy dip in the Sangam during first Amrit Snan

As dawn approached on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti on Tuesday (January 14), the festival that marks the end of winter and indicates the beginning of warmer days was on show on the banks of the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. The first Amrit Snan (holy dip) of Maha Kumbh 2025 commenced on Makar Sankranti, drawing lakhs of devotees and saints to the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the Saraswati, who braved the biting cold. Over 3.5 crore devotees took a dip in the holy Sangam during the first Amrit Snan, taking the total number of devotees to over 5 crores in the first two days of the Maha Kumbh. This profound act of faith, symbolising purification and blessings, reflected the essence of Indian culture and tradition.

Devotees prayed for purity and prosperity while taking the holy dip. Many offered Arghya (prayers) to the sun, seeking blessings for virtue and salvation, as Makar Sankranti is dedicated to the Sun God. Scientifically, this festival marks the Sun's transition to the northern hemisphere, signalling longer days and shorter nights. After the holy dip, devotees performed rituals and offered prayers at the bathing ghats, presenting sesame seeds, khichdi, and other sacred items. Devotees also participated in the Ganga Aarti. Upholding tradition, they also engaged in charity, donating sesame seeds and khichdi, deepening the festival's sanctity.

For many, the journey to the Sangam began long before the Mela. Pilgrims, young and old, walked miles carrying bundles of offerings on their heads, driven by unwavering faith. Some began their sacred bath during the night itself, braving the chilling waters under the starlit sky. As the sun rose higher, the Nagvasuki temple and the Sangam became focal points of devotion. Elderly devotees, women, and youth gathered to offer prayers and partake in the holy rituals.

The Sangam’s banks remained alive with activity till the day ended. Pilgrims lit diyas and set them afloat on the river, their flickering flames a symbol of hope and prayers carried to the divine. The Sangam shimmered in the twilight, a sacred space where heaven seemed to touch the earth. For those who journeyed to Prayagraj, it’s a moment in time that bridged the earthly and the divine.

The sheer diversity of the pilgrims — speaking different languages, wearing varied traditional attire, and carrying unique cultural practices —created a breathtaking harmony. This unity amidst diversity is one of Maha Kumbh’s most profound aspects. At Prayagraj, India’s cultural and spiritual heritage comes alive, with saffron flags of the Sanatan tradition flying alongside the Tricolour, symbolising the country’s unity and integrity.

Maha Kumbh is a living testament to the enduring values of Indian culture — a blend of reverence, duty, and unity.