Conclusion of the Maha Kumbh 2025

• 28 Feb 2025

Why in News? 

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began in Prayagraj on 13^th January 2024, concluded 45 days later on 26^th February 2025 with the Mahashivratri holy bath. 

Note:  

• Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 became the largest fair in the world, attracting over 66 crore devotees which is twice the population of the United States. Such a massive gathering has never been witnessed anywhere in the world.   

Key Points  

• About the Closing Ceremony:  
  • The closing ceremony was held at Sangam Ghat on 27th February 2025, in which the Chief Minister officially declared the closing of the Mahakumbh Mela.   
  • CM honored the employees and institutions who contributed in making the Maha Kumbh historic, divine, grand, clean, safe and digital.  
• Key Announcements:  
  
  • Under the Kisan Aapda Yojana, boat operators will receive disaster assistance similar to the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Bima Yojana, offering financial aid of Rs 5 lakh in case of an unfortunate event. 
    • People who do not have health insurance will be covered under Ayushman Bharat Scheme. 
  • An additional bonus of Rs 10,000 for the sanitation and health workers deployed on Maha Kumbh duty was also announced. 
  •  The CM also announced that the state government is all set to form a corporation through which it will provide Rs 16,000 per month to every sanitation worker, health worker and all those workers who were not getting minimum wages.  
    • This amount will be sent to their account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) from April 2025. 
• Major Attractions of Kumbh Mela 2025: 
  • Triveni Sangam: The sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. 
  • Ancient Temples: Hanuman Temple, Alopi Devi Temple, Mankameshwar Temple. 
  • Kalagram: Cultural village set up by the Ministry of Culture, featuring crafts, cuisine and culture. 
  • Akhara Camp: Centre for meditation, discussion and philosophical exchange of sadhus and seekers. 
  • International Bird Festival: Over 200 migratory and local birds, including endangered species, were spotted during the festival held from February 16 to 18, 2025. 
• Important Initiatives Taken: 
  • Medical Facilities: 
    • 133 ambulances were deployed during the fair, including seven water ambulances and one air ambulance.  
    • Affordable medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras. 
  • Green Initiative: 
    • Around 56,000 sq. meters of Dense Forests created in Prayagraj in last two years using Miyawaki Technique. 
    • Baswar dumping yard converted into green area. 
    • Cleaning of Rivers with trash skimmer machines.  

Kumbh Mela 

• About:  
  • In the year 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela is scheduled to be held in Prayagraj from 13 January to 26 February 2025 attended by more than 66.30 crore devotees.  
  • The word ' Kumbh' is derived from the metal 'Kumbhaka' (sacred pot of the nectar of immortality). 
  • King Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty started organizing the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. 
  • It is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims during which the participants bathe or take a dip in the holy river. This congregation takes place at 4 different places, namely: 
    • On the banks of the Ganga at Haridwar. 
    • On the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain. 
    • On the banks of the Godavari (South Ganga) at Nasik. 
    • At the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical invisible Saraswati in Prayagraj. 
  • In 2017, UNESCO added the Kumbh Mela to its list of " Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity ". 
• Different Types of Kumbha: 
  • Kumbh Mela is celebrated 4 times in 12 years. 
  • The Ardh Kumbh Mela is held every sixth year in Haridwar and Prayagraj. 
  • The Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated at in Prayagraj after every 144 years (after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas'). 
  • Magh Kumbh is celebrated every year in the month of Magh (January-February) in Prayagraj 

Included in the UNESCO list 

UNESCO added the Kumbh Mela to its list of " Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity " in 2017