Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Prayagraj to attend the Mahakumbh 2025 and took a holy dip at Triveni Sangam. Sitharaman, along with her parents, spiritual leader and Parmarth Niketan President Swami Chidanand Saraswati, and others, performed rituals during the ‘Sangam Aarti’ at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. (PICS/PTI)
Updated on : 20 February,2025 11:57 AM IST | Compiled by : Anisha Shrivastava
She was accompanied by her family members and described the experience as a "profound moment" in the Sanatan tradition, according to an official statement. The Maha Kumbh, a globally significant spiritual gathering, has attracted millions of devotees from across India and abroad.
As per official figures from 18th February, 550 million devotees have taken the holy dip at Triveni Sangam since the event began. By 8 PM on 18th February alone, 12.6 million people participated in the grand religious fair, marking a significant milestone in the 45-day-long gathering.
The Maha Kumbh 2025 is scheduled to conclude on 26th February, with the number of attendees expected to rise even further. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the scale of the event, stating that it highlights India's spiritual heritage and cultural strength.
He emphasised that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the faith of millions has been respected and upheld on an unprecedented scale. CM Adityanath highlighted the sharp rise in the number of devotees visiting Ayodhya, from 2.35 lakh in 2016-17 to over 14-15 crore in 2024.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde also participated in the sacred rituals, acknowledging the event’s historical and spiritual significance. The Maha Kumbh is regarded as one of the most significant religious gatherings in the world, occurring once every 144 years.
