The ongoing Maha Kumbh has surpassed the 10 crore or 100-million mark for pilgrims who have taken a sacred dip at the Triveni Sangam, the meeting point of the holy Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, the Uttar Pradesh government said on Thursday (January 23). The milestone was achieved at 12 noon on Thursday, the UP government, which is overseeing the world's largest religious gathering in Mahakumbh Nagar, Prayagraj. The event, which began on January 13, is set to continue until February 26.
The government noted that the number of pilgrims is increasing each day, with millions arriving to bathe and cleanse their past. During the bathing festival, the number of pilgrims swells tens of millions. "The 10 crore mark was surpassed at 12 PM on Thursday, marking a significant achievement in the ongoing Maha Kumbh," a statement read.
Earlier, the UP government had estimated that over 450 million people would attend the Maha Kumbh this year. Also read | 7 crore Rudraksha beads are attracting Maha Kumbh devotees to Shiv Nagari The statement brought the excitement and enthusiasm of devotees in Prayagraj in the spotlight. People from all over India and the world have been flocking the mela area in large numbers to participate in the sacred bath and other rituals.
"By 12 pm on Thursday alone, 3 million people had bathed at the Sangam, including 1 million 'kalpvasis' and other devotees," a statement read. The largest influx of pilgrims (approximately 35 million) was reported during the Ma.