Prayagraj: The first Amrit Snan of the Maha Kumbh 2025 commenced on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti on Tuesday, with saints and devotees taking a sacred dip at the Triveni Sangam, the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
The 13 Akharas participating in the Maha Kumbh are categorised into three groups: Sanyasi (Shaivite), Bairagi (Vaishnavite), and Udaseen. The Shaivite Akharas include Shree Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara, Shree Panchayati Akhara Niranjani, Shree Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara, Shree Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani, Shree Shambhu Panchagni Akhara, Shree Panchdashnam Aavahan Akhara, and Taponidhi Shri Anand Akhara Panchayti.
On Tuesday, the local administration issued directives to ensure a smooth and traditional sequence for the sacred Amrit Snan rituals involving the 13 Akharas.
According to the planned schedule, Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani and Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara were the first to perform the ritual, followed by other Shaivite and Vaishnavite Akharas.
Despite the biting cold, thousands of devotees thronged the Triveni Sangam to partake in this sacred tradition.
The Maha Kumbh festival, which began on Monday with the Pavitra Snan, observed its second day on Makar Sankranti, coinciding with the start of the Amrit Snan. The event was meticulously organised to uphold the customs of Sanatan Dharma, ensuring proper timing and discipline in the sequence of rituals.
Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conveyed his greetings to devotees via X, stating:
“This is the living form of our eternal culture and faith. Today, on the auspicious occasion of the great festival of folk faith ‘Makar Sankranti,’ congratulations to all the devotees who earned virtue by taking the first Amrit Snan at the Triveni Sangam in Maha Kumbh-2025, Prayagraj!”
Makar Sankranti, celebrated across the country, is a testament to India’s rich cultural diversity. Known as Uttarayana in some regions, it signifies the sun’s transition from Sagittarius (Dhanu) to Capricorn (Makara).
The festival, observed annually on 14 January (or 15 January in leap years), honours Surya, the solar deity, marking the sun’s northward journey and heralding a new beginning.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated with vibrant festivities, including kite flying and community gatherings. In rural areas, children follow age-old traditions, going door-to-door singing songs and collecting treats.
The festival also marks the seasonal transition, bidding farewell to winter and welcoming spring, filling hearts with hope and joy.
