Prayagraj, January 14, 2025 – People converged during the first-ever ‘Amrit Snan’ as Makar Sankranti was proved auspicious on the day of the Maha Kumbh 2025 when the pilgrimage site became the confluence of millions and millions who thronged and gathered in the sea of humanity where the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati meet at Sangam in Prayagraj.
The air was thick with chants, the fragrance of incense, and the spirit of devotion as people came from all religions, including sadhus, saints, and ordinary pilgrims, to mix in what is regarded as among the most spiritually potent baths in the year. It is a significant festival that marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn. It is not a festival but a unique moment of deep spiritual cleansing and renewal in the Hindu tradition.
Spiritual significance of Amrit Snan
The event commenced at dawn with the first rays of sunlight lighting up the faces of the zealous devotees who were waiting to immerse themselves in the holy waters. An “Amrit Snan” or “immortal bath,” is believed to wash away sins, cure ailments, and liberate the spirit. It is a visual display of faith, with people chanting mantras, offering prayers, and plunging into the waters while chanting “Har Har Gange.”
The authorities heightened the security measures, deploying thousands of police personnel, volunteers, and medical teams to manage the huge turnout. Even with so many logistical issues, harmony and peace prevailed throughout the situation. The government had made elaborate arrangements, including shelters, medical camps, and good sanitation.
“This is not just a bath; it’s a moment of divine connection,” said Rajesh Kumar, a pilgrim from Bihar, waiting since midnight to be one of the first to enter the waters. “To take the Amrit Snan on Makar Sankranti here at the Kumbh is a dream come true.”
The Maha Kumbh Mela happens in Prayagraj every twelfth year and is credited with attracting one of the world’s largest human masses. This Kumbh, which fell about Makar Sankranti, saw an unprecedented number of pilgrims. Estimates proclaim that for the initial Amrit Snan, there were over 1.5 crore (15 million) attendees, with this number likely to swell during the upcoming significant bathing dates.
Environmental pollution was also a major concern, with an organized effort made to clean the rivers. The ‘Swachh Sangam’ programme, which aims to keep the Sangam area clean, was operational, with the participation of volunteers and devotees in cleaning drives.
Makar Sankranti, the first Amrit Snan of Maha Kumbh 2025, became not only a manifestation of faith but also of the organizational prowess needed to oversee such a vast congregation. It is in some ways an extension of Indian spirituality, where tradition meets culture and the pursuit of purity under that same open sky, beside the legendary rivers.
