Prayagraj: The tale of family members getting separated at the Kumbh Mela and reuniting years later is a recurring theme in Bollywoo. Real-life incidents lending credibility to these dramatic plotlines. However, Gita and Lalita, sisters from Jharkhand, have devised a unique method to avoid getting lost in the massive crowds of this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where over 45 crore devotees are expected.
To stay connected, the sisters have creatively tied their bangles with a red ribbon, securing one end on each of their wrists. This simple yet effective solution ensures they remain close to each other amidst the throngs of attendees. According to a report by Amar Ujala, they have been exploring the city over the last two days with the setup and plan to continue doing so throughout their stay at the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, renowned as the largest gathering of humanity, started on Monday in Prayagraj, coinciding with the auspicious Paush Purnima. On the inaugural day, an estimated 60 lakh devotees participated in the sacred ritual of taking a holy dip at the Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna and the Saraswati rivers converge, symbolising spiritual cleansing.
Interestingly, many international visitors, including Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple’s founder Steve Jobs, are attending the festival. Known as “Kamala” by her spiritual guide Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Jobs plans to immerse herself in the Kumbh experience and may even take a dip in the Ganga.
Extensive security measures
To ensure the safety of pilgrims, the Uttar Pradesh police have put in place extensive security measures. For the first time, underwater drones capable of diving up to 100 metres are monitoring the Sangam area round-the-clock. That apart, around 2,700 AI-powered cameras with facial recognition technology have been installed at various entry points to enhance security.
DGP Prashant Kumar said the blend of tradition and modernity in this year’s Kumbh, noting that new technologies have greatly improved security. Authorities have also made accommodations for the large number of attendees by arranging 150,000 tents and enhancing sanitation facilities to ensure a comfortable experience.
