• Source:JND
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Mahakumbh 2024 has been hailed as the "Mahakumbh of Records" by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office, as the religious gathering in Prayagraj set multiple Guinness World Records during its 45-day duration. Held between January 13 and February 26, 2025, the festival exceeded expectations, drawing over 66 crore devotees, surpassing the anticipated 45 crore attendees within the first month. 

The 45-day festival also made several other world records. Here's a list of notable Guinness World Records set during Mahakumbh 2025:

  • Largest simultaneous river clean-up

  • Most volunteers participating in a single-site cleanliness drive

  • Highest number of participants creating handprint paintings in eight hours

In a statement, the UP CMO credited the event’s success to the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, highlighting India's cultural richness and unity. "The world is witnessing the grandeur of 'Mahakumbh 2025' as it makes history in the Guinness Book of World Records," the office stated.

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The grand congregation, deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, continues to symbolize faith, unity, and spirituality on a global scale. The festival’s theme of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) resonated globally, reinforcing its significance beyond religious boundaries, the statement read.

However, the festival faced several challenges, notably a tragic stampede on Mauni Amavasya (January 29) that resulted in at least 30 deaths and 60 injuries. The pre-dawn incident occurred as lakhs of pilgrims converged at the Sangam area for a holy dip. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the crowd surged, leading to the unfortunate loss of life. 

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The Kumbh Mela, known as the world’s largest peaceful gathering, is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage held every 12 years at four rotating locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik—each by a holy river. Devotees from across the world gather to bathe in these sacred waters, believing it cleanses sins and grants spiritual liberation.