New Delhi: Devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam on Tuesday to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, the first ‘Amrit Snan’ of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Authorities are expecting record number of devotees for the snan after over 1.7 crore took holy dip on first day of Maha Kumbh. Akharas, one after the other, started taking the holy dip, which began at 5.30am. Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani and Shri Panchayati Atal Akhara were the first to take the ‘Amrit Snan’.
The widow of Steve Jobs, Laurene Powell Jobs will also take the holy dip alongside her guru. Swami Kailashanand Giri, while talking about Laurene said, “She is in my ‘shivir’. She has never been to such a crowded place. She has got some allergies. She is very simple. All those people who have never seen our tradition – they all want to join us.”
Akharas begin taking holy dip
According to Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand of Juna Akhara, seven Shaivite Akharas will be the first to take the holy dip, followed by Vaishnavite Akharas. The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) has renamed traditional terms like ‘Shahi Snan’ and ‘Peshwai’ to ‘Amrit Snan’ and ‘Chhavni Pravesh’ to align with Sanskrit traditions.
The Maha Kumbh’s origins trace back to the mythological churning of the ocean by Devas and Asuras to obtain ‘Amrit’, the nectar of immortality. Drops of the nectar fell on four locations: Haridwar, Nashik, Ujjain, and Prayagraj, making these sites sacred for the Kumbh Mela.
Major dates include at Maha Kumbh 2025
– January 14: Makar Sankranti (First Shahi Snan)
– January 29: Mauni Amavasya (Second Shahi Snan)
– February 3: Basant Panchami (Third Shahi Snan)
– February 12: Maghi Purnima
– February 26: Maha Shivaratri
Over the course of 45 days, the Maha Kumbh Mela is expected to draw more than 40 crore devotees, including many from overseas. Held every 12 years, this year’s event is considered particularly auspicious due to rare celestial alignments occurring after 144 years.
Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh stated that over 55 police stations have been established, and 45,000 police personnel are being deployed to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the fair.
