The Maha Kumbh, also known as the Kumbh Mela, is one of the world's largest and most significant spiritual gatherings. Held every 12 years, it rotates among four locations in India: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The festival is rooted in Hindu mythology and millions of devotees, saints, and sadhus gather to take a holy dip at the confluence of sacred rivers, such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati to cleanse their sins and attain moksha (liberation).
The event also features spiritual discourses, cultural performances, and religious rituals. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Maha Kumbh is a profound celebration of faith, unity, and tradition, drawing people from across the globe to experience its spiritual and cultural grandeur.
Video Credit: Maha Kumbh Mela
Starting on January 13, this year, with the Paush Purnima Snan and ending on February 26 with a grand celebration for Maha Shivratri, the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela will be held at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. With the large number of attendees growing every year, the preparations for the Maha Kumbh Mela are also massive. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Prayagraj and the Sangam Ghat ahead of the festival to review preparations.
As Uttar Pradesh gets ready for Maha Kumbh 2025, the state government opened "Maa Ki Rasoi," a clean, modern, and air-conditioned restaurant. The community kitchen, which is about 2,000 square feet and is on the campus of Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
As part of his visit to Prayagraj, the CM visited and inaugurated the facility and as a gesture also served food to the people present there. He inspected the facility and the kitchen and praised it for hygiene, and quality of food apart from appreciating the initiative. In a statement, the Uttar Pradesh government said that the community kitchen, which can hold up to 150 people at a time, was opened for people from low-income groups and will be run by the Nandi Sewa Sansthan.
The program will allow people to eat a full meal with dal, four rotis, vegetables, rice, salad, and a dessert, for just Rs 9. Apart from the devotees who attend the festival, this initiative will also help people who are from economically weaker sections of society and are worried about food when they bring a loved one to SRN Hospital for care.