Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday termed the Maha Kumbh 2025 a “mahayagya of unity” which would take the country’s cultural and spiritual identity to new heights. Addressing a public meeting in Prayagraj, while inaugurating various developmental projects , the prime minister said the differences of castes and sects disappear at the Maha Kumbh.

“The Maha Kumbh is a mahayagya of unity,” Modi said. “It will take the country’s cultural and spiritual identity to new heights.” The prime minister inaugurated 167 key development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore, aimed at improving the city’s infrastructure for the 2025 Maha Kumbh mela.

The projects also included Sah’AI’yak Chatbot — an Artificial Intelligence-based platform to streamline communication for devotees attending the Maha Kumbh.

Before attending the public meeting, the PM began the visit with the ceremonial puja and darshan at the holy Sangam — the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Saraswati rivers. Modi undertook a river cruise before the puja. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present with the prime minister at the puja.

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The 2025 Maha Kumbh mela will be held from January 13 (Paush Poornima) to February 26, 2025 (Maha Shivratri) at Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh is organised every 12 years.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Prayagraj on December 13 and performed a puja at the Sangam Nose before he launched development projects worth Rs 5,500 crore to improve the city’s infrastructure and amenities for the 2025 Maha Kumbh.

The prime minister began the visit with the ceremonial puja and darshan at the holy Sangam — the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Saraswati rivers. Modi undertook a river cruise before the puja.

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According to Prayagraj-based Ashutosh Varshney, the convenor of Raam Naam Bank, millions of pilgrims come together to participate in the bathing ritual at the Triveni Sangam during the Kumbh Mela.

It is firmly rooted in belief that by immersing oneself in the holy waters, one can cleanse himself/herself of all sins, liberate them and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth, and ultimately attain moksha, spiritual liberation.

In addition to the bathing ritual, pilgrims also perform worship along the banks and actively participate in enlightening discourses led by various sadhus and saints, Varshney said.