Half of the World’s Hindus Participate in Maha Kumbh: 600 Million Take a Holy Dip; A Rare 144-Year Event or Something More?

“Seeing everything here has filled my heart with joy. My daughter has come all the way from Haryana with her two-month-old baby. This Maha Kumbh will not return for another 144 years, so we must ensure the baby also takes the holy dip.”

These are the proud words of 55-year-old Anuj Tiwari from Varanasi, who has traveled to the Maha Kumbh with seven family members. However, this sentiment is not exclusive to Tiwari. Millions of people have gathered at the Sangam (confluence of sacred rivers) out of a belief that they should not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bathe in the holy waters during the 144-year Maha Kumbh.

Unprecedented Devotee Turnout

Aerial drone visuals from the event show a staggering 600 million people have already taken a dip at the Sangam. Before the start of the Maha Kumbh, the government estimated that around 400 million devotees would participate. However, the actual turnout has exceeded this by 200 million. As of February 22, more than 600 million pilgrims have attended the Maha Kumbh, representing 50% of the world’s estimated 1.2 billion Hindus.

This leads to a pressing question: What has driven such an extraordinary turnout? The Dainik Bhaskar team investigated the reasons behind this unprecedented crowd and the challenges that arose due to such massive participation.

What the Devotees Say

Sachin Yadav, who traveled from Maharashtra, echoes the same sentiment:
“Fifty crore (500 million) people have already come—how could we stay behind?”

Two Major Reasons for the Unprecedented Crowd

1. The Power of Social Media and Digital Influence

The sheer grandeur of the Maha Kumbh was amplified by social media, particularly through short videos and reels. Before the event, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a meeting in Lucknow with over 100 prominent social media influencers. These content creators produced and shared engaging reels and videos showcasing the scale and significance of the event.

Once the processions of Akharas (saintly orders) began after December 15, Maha Kumbh quickly became a trending topic. Influencers, both big and small, flocked to the event and continuously posted reels, urging people to join this historic gathering. The mesmerizing visuals of the Maha Kumbh, especially its evening aartis (prayer ceremonies) and grand rituals, motivated millions to visit.

2. The Once-in-144-Year Belief

Another significant factor that contributed to the massive turnout was the widespread belief that this Maha Kumbh is occurring after 144 years.
This belief was widely propagated, with claims that the Amrit Yoga (a rare planetary alignment) occurring in 2025 makes this Kumbh uniquely auspicious.

Many devotees believed that neither their ancestors nor their future generations would get this opportunity again, leading them to prioritize the pilgrimage at any cost.

Astrologer Ashutosh Varshney explained:
“This 144-year Maha Kumbh holds immense spiritual significance. The sacred principle states, ‘What exists in the body exists in the cosmos, and vice versa.’ Many people believe that taking a dip at the Triveni Sangam (confluence of three holy rivers) during this rare event ensures liberation. Since none of us will be alive in 144 years, people want to take this opportunity now.”

Additional Factors That Attracted Millions to the Maha Kumbh

1. Nationwide Promotion and Publicity

Although the Maha Kumbh officially started on January 13, the government began extensive promotional campaigns six months earlier.
The slogan ‘Chalo Kumbh Chalein’ (Let’s go to Kumbh) was widely publicized. Posters and banners were placed across major railway stations, airports, and metro stations, including in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Digital billboards displayed videos highlighting the grandeur of the Maha Kumbh.

In addition, devotees who had already taken a dip flooded social media with their photos, encouraging more people to visit.

2. VIPs and Celebrities Participating

The Maha Kumbh witnessed participation from several high-profile figures, including:

• President Droupadi Murmu
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• Chief Ministers from 8 states, including UP, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh
• Business tycoons Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani with their families
• Foreign dignitaries like Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Nepal’s former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba
• 77 delegations from various countries
• Bollywood celebrities

The presence of such notable figures fueled further public interest, motivating millions to make the pilgrimage.

3. Religious Leaders and Political Appeals

Before the Maha Kumbh began, Bageshwar Peethadhishwar and Devkinandan Thakur, along with several Akhada heads, urged Hindus to participate. PM Modi also called for unity, encouraging people to take part in the Maha Kumbh as a way to strengthen Sanatan Dharma (eternal faith).

UP CM Yogi Adityanath actively promoted Maha Kumbh participation, even integrating it into election campaigns in states like Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand. This had a direct impact on the turnout.

Challenges Faced Due to the Massive Crowd

While the turnout has been record-breaking, it has also presented logistical challenges:

• Transportation Overload: Trains and buses heading to Prayagraj are overcrowded.
• Accommodation Shortages: Hotels and guesthouses are fully booked.
• Sanitation and Waste Management Issues: Managing cleanliness for millions of people has been a tough task.
• Security Concerns: Despite massive police deployment, handling such a large crowd is a challenge.

The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) Played a Major Role

Former Prayagraj IG KP Singh, who managed law enforcement during the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, stated:
“In 2019, we noticed an initial slow turnout, but after Vasant Panchami, the crowd surged beyond expectations. This year, we observed a ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO) effect among devotees. The belief that ‘this is a once-in-144-year event’ led to an unprecedented rush.”

Dr. Dhananjay Chopra, an author who has extensively studied the Kumbh, said:
“The impact of digital media is undeniable. People saw widespread coverage and believed they must be part of this event. The ‘144-year phenomenon’ made people feel this was a unique opportunity they shouldn’t miss.”

Final Thoughts

The Maha Kumbh 2025 has already broken records, with half of the world’s Hindus participating. Whether it’s the power of social media, religious beliefs, or political influence, this event has left an unforgettable mark in history.

The question remains: With such an overwhelming turnout, what measures will be needed for future Kumbh Mela events?