As the sun rose over Prayagraj on Wednesday, the air was filled with the sound of conch shells, bells, and chants as lakhs of devotees rushed to the Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers—to take the final holy dip of Maha Shivratri. This sacred bath marked the conclusion of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh 2025, an event that set new records in attendance, security, and technology-driven management.

Record-Breaking Attendance at Maha Kumbh 2025

Total Visitors: 64.77 crore pilgrims had attended the fair by 6 AM on Wednesday.
More Expected: Officials predicted that the final tally could cross 67 crore by the end of the day.
Previous Record: This year's attendance far exceeded the 2019 Kumbh, which had 24 crore visitors in 55 days.

Despite minor confusion over the exact date of the last bath, devotees arrived in unprecedented numbers, showing their unwavering faith and devotion.

Unmatched Planning and Security Measures

This year’s Kumbh was not just historic in scale but also in organization and security.

Security at a Glance

40,000 policemen and 14,000 home guards deployed.
2,750 CCTV cameras and 50 watchtowers for surveillance.
AI-powered cameras monitored crowd movement.
24×7 social media monitoring to curb misinformation.

DIG (Kumbh) Vaibhav Krishna assured that no VIP treatment was given and all pilgrims were treated equally, ensuring smooth crowd management.

Technology at Maha Kumbh 2025

This Maha Kumbh stood out for its extensive use of technology to assist visitors.

QR codes helped pilgrims find toilets, lost-and-found centers, and exhibitions.
AI-based navigation assisted people in locating food stalls, hospitals, and parking areas.
Indian Railways operated 350 special trains from Prayagraj to accommodate departing devotees.
Fire safety precautions included 50 fire stations and 20 fire posts, ensuring zero casualties despite a few minor incidents.

Pilgrims Speak: A Divine Experience

Many devotees described their Maha Kumbh experience as unparalleled.

Ramprasad Sharma (68), Rajasthan:

“I have attended many Kumbh Melas, but I have never seen anything this big. The arrangements were excellent.”

Anamika Devi, Varanasi:

“It was a divine experience. The security and cleanliness were commendable, and we could perform our rituals without any trouble.”

Sunil Patil, Maharashtra:

“This was my first Kumbh, and I was amazed by the AI-based navigation and the police’s cooperation.”

UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s Message

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his greetings to devotees, emphasizing the spiritual and unifying essence of Maha Shivratri.

“Lord Mahadev, the God of Gods, is universally revered. Festivals like Maha Kumbh strengthen our traditions and national unity.”

He also praised the seamless arrangements, sharing pictures of the event on X, with the message:

“This is a tribute to our spiritual consciousness. Har Har Mahadev!”

A Farewell to Remember

As the final echoes of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ faded and pilgrims began their journey home, the tents came down, marking the end of an extraordinary spiritual gathering. But the spirit of Maha Kumbh 2025 will live on, inspiring millions until the next grand congregation.