Why in News?

• The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began in Prayagraj on 13th January 2024, concluded 45 days later on 26th February 2025 with the Mahashivratri holy bath.

Key Points:

About the Closing Ceremony:

=> The closing ceremony was held at Sangam Ghat on 27th February 2025, in which the Chief Minister officially declared the closing of the Mahakumbh Mela.

=> CM honored the employees and institutions who contributed in making the Maha Kumbh historic, divine, grand, clean, safe and digital.

Key Announcements:

=> Under the Kisan Aapda Yojana, boat operators will receive disaster assistance similar to the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Bima Yojana, offering financial aid of Rs 5 lakh in case of an unfortunate event.

=> People who do not have health insurance will be covered under Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

=> An additional bonus of Rs 10,000 for the sanitation and health workers deployed on Maha Kumbh duty was also announced.

=> The CM also announced that the state government is all set to form a corporation through which it will provide Rs 16,000 per month to every sanitation worker, health worker and all those workers who were not getting minimum wages.

=> This amount will be sent to their account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) from April 2025.

Major Attractions of Kumbh Mela 2025:

Triveni Sangam:

• The sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

Ancient Temples:

• Hanuman Temple, Alopi Devi Temple, Mankameshwar Temple.

Kalagram:

• Cultural village set up by the Ministry of Culture, featuring crafts, cuisine and culture.

Akhara Camp:

• Centre for meditation, discussion and philosophical exchange of sadhus and seekers.

International Bird Festival:

• Over 200 migratory and local birds, including endangered species, were spotted during the festival held from February 16 to 18, 2025.

Important Initiatives Taken:

Medical Facilities:

• 133 ambulances were deployed during the fair, including seven water ambulances and one air ambulance.
• Affordable medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

Green Initiative:

• Around 56,000 sq. meters of Dense Forests created in Prayagraj in last two years using Miyawaki Technique.
• Baswar dumping yard converted into green area.
• Cleaning of Rivers with trash skimmer machines.

Kumbh Mela:

About:

• In the year 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela is scheduled to be held in Prayagraj from 13 January to 26 February 2025 attended by more than 66.30 crore devotees. The word ' Kumbh' is derived from the metal 'Kumbhaka' (sacred pot of the nectar of immortality). King Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty started organizing the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. It is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims during which the participants bathe or take a dip in the holy river. This congregation takes place at 4 different places, namely: On the banks of the Ganga at Haridwar. On the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain. On the banks of the Godavari (South Ganga) at Nasik. At the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical invisible Saraswati in Prayagraj. In 2017, UNESCO added the Kumbh Mela to its list of " Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity ".

Different Types of Kumbha:

• Kumbh Mela is celebrated 4 times in 12 years. The Ardh Kumbh Mela is held every sixth year in Haridwar and Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated at in Prayagraj after every 144 years (after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas'). Magh Kumbh is celebrated every year in the month of Magh (January-February) in Prayagraj

Included in the UNESCO list:

• UNESCO added the Kumbh Mela to its list of " Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity " in 2017