Kumbh Mela Concludes with 620 Million Devotees, Amid Faith and Concerns Over Pollution

The Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, concluded in Prayagraj, India, after 620 million Hindu devotees took part in the six-week-long festival. The event, which occurs every 12 years as the Maha Kumbh Mela, saw worshippers from across India converge at the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, to cleanse their sins and seek spiritual liberation.

Pilgrims offer prayers while standing in the waters of the Triveni Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on Tuesday, February 4. 
R.Satish Babu/AFP/Getty Images

Despite the overwhelming devotion, the festival faced challenges of overcrowding and water pollution. Reports from India’s Central Pollution and Control Board (CPCB) indicated high levels of contamination in the rivers, with faecal coliform bacteria exceeding safe limits. However, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dismissed these concerns, assuring devotees that the water was safe for both bathing and consumption.

A Hindu devotee performs rituals after taking a holy dip on Thursday, January 30. 
Deepak Sharma/AP

Many attendees expressed mixed feelings—some choosing faith over concerns, while others took precautionary showers after their holy dip. Environmentalists and health experts warned of potential risks, including waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Ahead of the festival, authorities had promoted a “Green Kumbh” initiative, banning single-use plastics and increasing sanitation efforts. However, the unexpected surge in attendance 250 million more than anticipated strained infrastructure and river cleanliness measures.

As the festival came to a close, residents of Prayagraj expressed relief, hoping to return to normalcy after weeks of dust, crowds, and religious fervor. Meanwhile, the event reignited conversations about India’s ongoing efforts to clean the Ganges and Yamuna, a mission that remains critical for both environmental and spiritual reasons.

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