Maha Kumbh 2025 Sees Record Attendance Despite Tragedy

The 2025 Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj has seen an unprecedented turnout, with over 500 million devotees taking a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, marking it as the largest human gathering in history. Despite a tragic stampede on January 29 that claimed dozens of lives, attendance continues to soar, with estimates suggesting a final count of 550 to 600 million attendees. Notable figures, including India's President Draupadi Murmu, have participated, emphasizing the event's spiritual and unifying message. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi also saw significant pilgrim activity during the festival, further reflecting the event's widespread impact. Officials have launched an investigation into the stampede incident to ensure future safety and management improvements.