Maha Kumbh: Union Minister Amit Shah takes the Holy Dip at Sangam in Prayagraj

PRAYAGRAJ: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj in the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela. Shah was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saints and sages including Baba Ram Dev.

Before taking a dip, Shah and CM Yogi also met and interacted with the saints and seers in Prayagraj. The Union Minister will also visit the Bade Hanuman Ji Temple and Abhayvat. Later, Shah will proceed to Juna Akhara, where he will meet the Maharaj and other saints of the Akhara and have lunch with them.

#WATCH | #MahaKumbh2025 | Union Home Minister Amit Shah takes a holy dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/TH2MFFgwA5

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2025

His schedule also includes visits to Guru Sharananand Ji’s Ashram, where he will meet Guru Sharananand Ji and Govind Giri Ji Maharaj, and conclude his visit with a meeting with the Shankaracharyas of Sringeri, Puri and Dwaraka. The Home Minister will depart from Prayagraj for Delhi in the evening.

Till now, several Union Ministers, including Rajnath Singh and various leaders have visited to Mahakumbh and have taken a dip at the Triveni Sangam. Recently, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet also went to Prayagraj for a meeting and then took a dip at the Triveni Sangam.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman and former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah also arrived in Prayagraj on Monday along with his family to attend the Maha Kumbh 2025. After arriving at Prayagraj, the 36-year-old received a warm welcome at the airport.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | ICC Chairman Jay Shah along with his family arrives in Prayagraj to attend Mahakumbh 2025 pic.twitter.com/lHkLToMw29

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2025

On Sunday, Jay Shah paid a visit to Ayodhya’s Hanumangarhi Temple. The newly-appointed ICC chairman arrived to the temple in traditional Indian attire and offered his prayers to the lord.

On Sunday, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, during his visit to Prayagraj, took 11 holy dips at the Mahakumbh.

Meanwhile, a Dharma Sansad, organised by spiritual leader and Bhagwat Katha orator Devkinandan Thakurji Maharaj, is being convened on Monday at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. One of the key objectives of the Sansad is the establishment of a Sanatana Board.

“We all want that Sanatana Board be constituted. We are placing a proposal before the government. All Dharmacharyas want the welfare of Sanatana and temples to remain secure — for this Dharma Sansad is about to begin. I am going to see the preparation for the same. People are arriving here in large numbers”, Devkinandan Thakurji Maharaj said. The event will be attended by many saints, Gurus, and Sanatan leaders.

The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years and a huge turnout of devotees is expected in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. The Maha Kumbh mela, which commenced on January 13 with the auspicious Paush Purnima, has already witnessed an overwhelming turnout, with over 110 million devotees taking a holy dip in the sacred waters of Prayagraj during the first 14 days on Sunday.

According to tradition, pilgrims flock to the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (now extinct) rivers, to take the holy dip believed to absolve sins and grant moksha (liberation). Rooted in Sanatan Dharma, the event signifies a celestial alignment that creates an auspicious period for spiritual cleansing and devotion.

The Mahakumbh Mela is expected to host over 45 crore visitors, marking a historic occasion for India. (ANI)