Conclusion of the Maha Kumbh 2025 | Uttar Pradesh | 28 Feb 2025

Why in News?

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began in Prayagraj on 13^th January 2024, concluded 45 days later on 26^th February 2025 with the Mahashivratri holy bath.

Note:

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 became the largest fair in the world, attracting over 66 crore devotees which is twice the population of the United States. Such a massive gathering has never been witnessed anywhere in the world.

Key Points

About the Closing Ceremony:
- The closing ceremony was held at Sangam Ghat on 27th February 2025, in which the Chief Minister officially declared the closing of the Mahakumbh Mela.
- CM honored the employees and institutions who contributed in making the Maha Kumbh historic, divine, grand, clean, safe and digital.
Key Announcements:
- Under the Kisan Aapda Yojana, boat operators will receive disaster assistance similar to the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Bima Yojana, offering financial aid of Rs 5 lakh in case of an unfortunate event.
  - People who do not have health insurance will be covered under Ayushman Bharat Scheme.
- An additional bonus of Rs 10,000 for the sanitation and health workers deployed on Maha Kumbh duty was also announced.
- The CM also announced that the state government is all set to form a corporation through which it will provide Rs 16,000 per month to every sanitation worker, health worker and all those workers who were not getting minimum wages.
  - This amount will be sent to their account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) from April 2025.
Major Attractions of Kumbh Mela 2025:
- Triveni Sangam: The sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.
- Ancient Temples: Hanuman Temple, Alopi Devi Temple, Mankameshwar Temple.
- Kalagram: Cultural village set up by the Ministry of Culture, featuring crafts, cuisine and culture.
- Akhara Camp: Centre for meditation, discussion and philosophical exchange of sadhus and seekers.
- International Bird Festival: Over 200 migratory and local birds, including endangered species, were spotted during the festival held from February 16 to 18, 2025.
Important Initiatives Taken:
- Medical Facilities:
  - 133 ambulances were deployed during the fair, including seven water ambulances and one air ambulance.
  - Affordable medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
- Green Initiative:
  - Around 56,000 sq. meters of Dense Forests created in Prayagraj in last two years using Miyawaki Technique.
  - Baswar dumping yard converted into green area.
  - Cleaning of Rivers with trash skimmer machines.

Kumbh Mela

About:
- The word ' Kumbh' is derived from the metal 'Kumbhaka' (sacred pot of the nectar of immortality).
- King Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty started organizing the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
- It is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims during which the participants bathe or take a dip in the holy river. This congregation takes place at 4 different places, namely:
  - On the banks of the Ganga at Haridwar.
  - On the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain.
  - On the banks of the Godavari (South Ganga) at Nasik.
  - At the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical invisible Saraswati in Prayagraj.
- In 2017, UNESCO added the Kumbh Mela to its list of " Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity ".
Types of Kumbh:
- Kumbh Mela is celebrated 4 times in 12 years.
- The Ardh Kumbh Mela is held every sixth year in Haridwar and Prayagraj.
- The Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated in Prayagraj after every 144 years (after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas').
- Magh Kumbh is celebrated every year in the month of Magh (January-February) in Prayagraj