Maha Shivratri at Maha Kumbh 2025: Final Day of the Grand Spiritual Gathering

The final day of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 began on Wednesday, February 26, with thousands of devotees rushing to the Triveni Sangam in the early hours for a holy dip—the last special ‘scan’—on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. This marks the conclusion of the six-week-long Mela, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Significance of Maha Shivratri in Maha Kumbh

Maha Shivratri is a key Hindu festival commemorating the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. However, in the Maha Kumbh context, it holds even greater importance. 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.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: A Look at the Sacred ‘Snan’ Days

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, which began on January 13, witnessed a total of six special ‘scan days, including three ‘Amrit Snan’ days:

1. Paush Purnima – January 13
2. Makar Sankranti – January 14
3. Mauni Amavasya – January 29 (First ‘Amrit Snan’)
4. Basant Panchami – February 3 (Second ‘Amrit Snan’)
5. Maghi Purnima – February 12 (Third ‘Amrit Snan’)
6. Maha Shivratri – February 26 (Final sacred dip of the Kumbh)

Massive Devotee Turnout & Security Measures

As the festival culminated, an unprecedented crowd of devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam—the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati—for the final ‘snap’. Given the massive footfall, the entire Kumbh Mela area has been designated as a ‘no vehicle zone’ to ensure smooth movement.

Key security measures in place:

• 37,000 police personnel & 14,000 home guards deployed
• 2,750 AI-based CCTV cameras installed across the Mela area
• 3 Jal Police stations & 18 control rooms monitoring river safety
• 50 watchtowers for crowd surveillance
• 24×7 social media monitoring to curb misinformation

DIG (Kumbh) Vaibhav Krishna assured that “no VIP treatment” will be given to anyone, emphasizing that authorities are prepared to handle the massive crowd. The expected turnout is higher than Tuesday’s 1.33 crore devotees.

Indian Railways’ Special Arrangements

To manage the large influx of pilgrims, Indian Railways has announced over 350 additional trains from Prayagraj to various destinations. Previously, during Mauni Amavasya, 360 special trains transported over 20 lakh passengers safely. Given recent stampede incidents, railway authorities are on high alert, with 850 RPF personnel deployed across key stations.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar are personally overseeing operations.

Fire Safety & Disaster Preparedness

Due to past fire incidents at the Kumbh, extensive fire safety measures have been implemented:

• 50 fire stations and 20 fire posts on standby
• Chief Fire Officer Pramod Sharma assured readiness for any emergency

CM Yogi Adityanath’s Message

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his greetings for the ‘Amrit Snan’ at Maha Kumbh, emphasizing that Lord Shiva is revered universally. He stated that festivals like Maha Shivratri promote national unity and social welfare, with India’s Jyotirlingas serving as symbols of cultural integration.

As Maha Kumbh 2025 comes to a close, it leaves behind a spiritual legacy, with millions of devotees participating in this extraordinary religious spectacle.