"Prayagraj is the king of pilgrimages": Swami Chidanand Saraswati on Maha Kumbh 2025

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], December 3 : With preparations for Maha Kumbh 2025 in full swing, President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, on Tuesday said, "The soul of India resides in pilgrimages, and Prayagraj is the king of all pilgrimages."
"It is a well-known fact that people love pilgrimages, and the soul of India resides in pilgrimages. Prayagraj is the king of all pilgrimages. This time, the Kumbh in Prayagraj will be something special. This country does not move forward on the basis of slogans or negativity but on the basis of thoughts. We will go to the confluence and take a bath," Saraswati said.
He also praised the state government for its efforts in preparing for the event.
"The message of cleanliness, the message of clean water, the message of stopping the wastage of water, and at the same time, the message of making Kumbh plastic-free--the government is doing a very good job," he added.
Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also spoke about the ongoing preparations for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
"All preparations for Kumbh are almost complete. Before Kumbh, PM Narendra Modi will address the inaugural program, and the whole world will witness the Maha Kumbh, which is going to be organized. We will go to Mumbai and Jaipur to invite public representatives and people there for Maha Kumbh," Pathak said.
Meanwhile, on Monday, in a landmark decision, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, declared the Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as a new district. The decision, which led to the formation of the new Maha Kumbh Mela district, was made to streamline the management and administration of the upcoming Kumbh Mela, ensuring smooth operations for the grand religious event scheduled for January 2025.
In a bid to ensure the safety and convenience of an estimated 45 crore devotees, the Yogi Adityanath government is revolutionizing preparations for the upcoming Maha Kumbh. For the first time, the grand event is being digitized on such a large scale, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media platforms to enhance management and security.
Security arrangements are being made across land, water, and air. In a first, to prevent any untoward incidents during the bathing rituals, the water police are being equipped with high-tech jet skis, often referred to as "mini ships."
The Maha Kumbh, held once every 12 years, is scheduled to begin on January 13 and conclude on February 26, 2025, in Prayagraj. The event is expected to be a milestone in promoting Indian culture.