Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 began in Uttar Pradesh's Mahakumbh Nagar on January 13. Photo: PTI Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 began in Uttar Pradesh's Mahakumbh Nagar on January 13. Photo: PTI

The Maha Kumbh Mela began with more than 60 lakh devotees taking the first holy dip on Monday at Sangam in Mahakumbh Nagar which is considered sacred due to the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

A thick blanket of fog and cold breeze was witnessed on early hours of January 13 when the devotees lined up to take a dip in the bone-chilling water of river Ganga on the occasion of 'Paush Purnima'.

Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement announced that around 60 lakh pilgrims had taken dip till 9.30 am today.

The state government also said that a large number of devotees from India and abroad were seen at the Sangam Ghat.

A controversy erupted on Sunday after a statue of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav was installed at a camp in the Maha Kumbh Mela area, with several seers objecting to it.

Row Over Mulayam Statue At Maha Kumbh Mela Camp

The statue of former UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav was inaugurated on Saturday at the camp in Sector 16 set up by the Mulayam Singh Yadav Smriti Seva Sansthan, Leader of Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey said on Sunday.

SP leader Pandey said that the statue of "Netaji" was inaugurated by him on Saturday. "He was our leader, and the camp was organised to spread his thoughts and ideas."

"Pilgrims and other people are welcomed to go to the camp, have food, and stay there. A small statue of Mulayam Singh Yadav has been installed in a symbolic manner," Pandey told reporters.

He said the idol will be restored to the party office after the Maha Kumbh.

The move drew criticism from the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad. ABAP president Mahant Ravindra Puri said Mulayam Singh's statue has been installed to show seers that he "killed" people from the community.

"We have no objection to Mulayam Singh's statue. He has been our chief minister. But what message do they (SP people) want to give by installing the statue at this time. Everyone knows what his contribution has been in the Ram temple movement. He has always been anti-Hindu, anti-Sanatan and in favour of Muslims," Puri said.

Mahamandaleshwar Yati Narsinghanand supported the Puri's statement on this issue

Also Read | Inside Maha Kumbh 2025: A Seven-Tier Security Framework For Devotee Safety

State Authorities Slash Helicopter Ride Prices; How To Book One?

A helicopter joyride of Maha Kumbh has now been slashed by more than half to Rs 1,296 per person, according to an official statement.

Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh in statement said the 7–8 minute helicopter ride will begin on January 13.

"Helicopter joyride of Maha Kumbh will now cost Rs 1,296 per person from the earlier fare of Rs 3,000 rate," the statement said.

The ride will give tourists an aerial view of the grand Maha Kumbh area, soaring above Prayagraj city.

slots of fortune

The joyride can be booked online through www.upstdc.co.in and will be facilitated by Pawan Hans, an undertaking of the Government of India.

PM Modi & CM Yogi Adityanath Extend Greetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Maha Kumbh mela as a very special day for those who cherish Indian values and culture, saying the massive religious event embodies India's timeless spiritual heritage.

"A very special day for crores of people who cherish Bharatiya values and culture! Maha Kumbh 2025 commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion and culture. The Maha Kumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony," he said on X.

The prime minister said that he was happy to see Prayagraj abuzz, with countless people coming there, taking the holy dip and seeking blessings.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday extended his greetings on the commencement of Maha Kumbh, which he described as a confluence of cultures and a message of unity in diversity.

"Greetings on Paush Purnima. The world's largest spiritual and cultural gathering 'Mahakumbh' is starting from today in the holy city of Prayagraj," Adityanath posted on X.

Earlier in the match, a raucous crowd gave the Chinese players full support as they faced a formidable Pakistan. The game started slow with both teams struggling to find space in each other's defence. However, China kept control of the ball and made more attacks than Pakistan.

"All the revered saints, Kalpvasis and devotees who have come to experience unity in diversity, to meditate and take a holy bath at the confluence of faith and modernity are heartily welcomed. May Maa Ganga fulfil all your wishes," he said

"Auspicious wishes for the inauguration and first bath of Mahakumbh Prayagraj.

Sanatan Pride-Maha Kumbh Festival," he added.

In another post, the CM said, "Where there is a confluence of cultures, there is also a confluence of faith and harmony.

Also Read | Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Akhilesh Terms Ganga Dredging 'Environmental Crime'; Know About Date, History And More

Maha Kumbh Mela High-Level Security

Inspector General of Police (Eastern Zone), Rajiv Narayan Mishra, said the drone, which functions at a very high speed, can keep an eye on the target even in the dark and do reconnaissance up to a depth of 100 metres.

Also, PAC, NDRF and SDRF teams will be deployed on 700 flagged boats to ensure the safety of the devotees, along with the placing of remote life-saving buoys on a large scale, he said.

In compliance with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's instructions to ensure a 'digital' and 'cyber safe' Maha Kumbh, Uttar Pradesh Police has formulated a strategy to protect the devotees from cyber frauds.

"We have prepared a multi-dimensional strategy to fight cybercrime during the Maha Kumbh. Apart from police officers, we have also roped in cyber experts from specialised institutions like IIT-Kanpur. Acting on the complaints received, police have already arrested some cyber frauds," Director General of Police (DGP), Prashant Kumar, said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh elaborating on the security and safety aspect he said, "There are more than 55 police stations, and around 45,000 police personnel are getting deployed there on duty. Projects have also been sanctioned to monitor the social media continuously, so that nobody does any mischief. If anything untoward is coming up on social media, it should be identified, isolated and tackled... There is excellent coordination between the institutes of the Centre and the state government."

The State Disaster Management Authority is already working and the NDMA is also working. They have trained 'aapdaa mitr' (disaster volunteers), he said.

Commenting on the digital aspect of Maha Kumbh, the UP chief secretary said, "We have Integrated Control and Command Centres established there before the last Kumbh. This time, it has been strengthened, and more than 3,000 cameras have been deployed in the entire Kumbh area. ICCC will be managing the crowd by reading the density of the crowd at a particular place.

"Secondly, all the bookings of land and facilities are being done digitally by the mela administration. On the whole, this is going to be a grand arrangement," Singh said.

When asked to comment on the visits of foreign nationals and ambassadors to the event, the UP chief secretary said, "(In) the last Kumbh, people from 55-60 countries came, because immediately a day or two before Kumbh started, there was the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Varanasi, so many people came from there. Besides that, on one day, we organise visits of embassies. That visit is being organised on January 30," he said.

Following the CM's instructions, the police have set up a strong security system with 102 checkpoints on seven important routes. They are checking both vehicles and people for safety.

DGP Prashant Kumar said around 40,000 police officers and cybercrime experts are using advanced technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to monitor and guide the large crowd at the event, according to a Reuters report.

More than 1,000 police officers, including 71 inspectors, 234 sub-inspectors, and 645 constables, are stationed at 102 checkpoints along seven routes connecting Prayagraj to nearby areas.

Additional security has been provided with 113 Home Guards/PRD jawans also helping to monitor the event.milyon88