Mahakumbh Mela Amrit Snan 2025 Live: The Mega Festival Begins on the Sacred Day of Amrit Snan

Prayagraj, January 14, 2025

Mahakumbh Mela Amrit Snan 2025 Live: Much-awaited Mahakumbh Mela 2025 starts today on auspicious day of Makar Sankranti with millions of devotees thronging the sacred Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj for the first Amrit Snan (holy dip). According to age-old tradition, saints of the 13 prominent Akhadas of Sanatan Dharma initiated their ceremonial bath, ushering in this gigantic spiritual extravaganza.

The first Amrit Snan was performed at dawn by the saints of Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani and Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhada. Leaving their camps at 5:15 AM, the saints reached the ghat by 6:15 AM, for which they were given 40 minutes for the ritual dip. This was a historic moment as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in an attempt to highlight the sanctity of the occasion, had renamed the royal bath as Amrit Snan.

The Akhadas marched in palatial processions toward the ghats, along with flags, banners, traditional band music, and the rhythmic beats of drums. Acharyas, Mahamandaleshwars, and Mandaleshwars were seen sitting atop elaborately decorated chariots exuding spiritual majesty as they proceeded for the holy dip.

Speaking about the event, Mahant Acharya Devendra Singh Shastri, secretary of Shri Panchayati Akhada Nirmal said that the administration had planned and communicated in detail as regards sequence, date, and the timing of Akhadas’ turns for the Amrit Snan.

#WATCH | Prayagraj | The first Amrit Snan of #MahaKumbh2025 on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti has started with Sadhus from different Akharas pic.twitter.com/nhU6UXqp93

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2025

The bathing ritual was performed according to the prevalent customs. After Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani and Atal Akhada, it was the turn of Shri Taponidhi Panchayati Niranjani Akhada and Shri Panchayati Akhada Anand. They departed their camps at 6:05 AM and reached the ghats at 7:05 AM. They performed the bathing ritual in the next 40 minutes.

The three major Sannyasi Akhadas followed: Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhada, Shri Panchdashnam Aavahan Akhada, and Shri Panchagni Akhada, during their respective timings from 8:00 AM. The rituals of the Bairagi Akhadas started from All India Shri Panch Nirmohi Ani Akhada at 10:40 AM.

The Kinnar Saints joined in the spiritual celebration as well.

One of the most significant highlights of Mahakumbh this year is the participation of Kinnar saints (transgender saints) in the Amrit Snan. Dressed as Ardhanarishwar, they will take part in the ceremonial bath along with the Juna Akhada. Under the leadership of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, over a dozen Kinnar Mahamandaleshwars will adorn themselves with sixteen traditional embellishments and proceed to the ghats on magnificently decorated chariots.

This integration is an expression of celebration of diversity as it stands as a representation of the coming together of tradition and culture. While once at the bottom rung, these Kinnar saints have taken their well-deserved position within this mega-festival and epitomize one step towards a progressive balance.

Mahakumbh Mela 2025 promises to be a spectacular spiritual event as millions are expected to participate in the coming weeks. From the sacred Amrit Snan to the colorful processions of saints, the festival showcases the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of India. As the sounds of conch shells, bhajans, and chants fill the air, the event stands as a testament to the enduring faith and devotion of its participants.

With the administration making meticulous arrangements and devotees participating with much enthusiasm, the Mahakumbh Mela is going to be a memorable journey of faith, devotion, and spirituality.