Articles by K Sandeep Kumar
Geo-tube tech powers Mahakumbh; 3,660 MLD water treated & released to Ganga
With the religious fair in full swing and two major bathing festivals—Maghi Purnima and Maha Shivaratri—still to come, the initiative aims to maintain the sacred river’s purity for devotees.

Published on Feb 07, 2025 06:22 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar
Transgender artists get platform to showcase talent at Mahakumbh
Art pieces created on Sangam banks set to be showcased in Kinnar Akhada camp and also across country

Published on Feb 06, 2025 08:56 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mahakumbh on a different note: Rare musical instruments from across country wow visitors
Endangered musical instruments like Rashan Chowki, Purni Baja, Tubki, Dhol Piphi, Naradi Mridang and Santhali Manar can be seen in the exhibition which will continue till February 26

Published on Feb 04, 2025 09:10 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Muslim bandmasters lead akhada processions for Amrit Snan
As the tent city geared up for the third and last Amrit Snan of the Mahakumbh on Basant Panchami, bandmasters and their groups waited patiently near bonfires set up outside the akhada camps to help them beat the early morning chill.

Published on Feb 04, 2025 09:12 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mahatyagi sadhus ignite 18-yr spiritual journey with ‘Dhuni Puja’ in Mahakumbh
This ancient ritual, initiated only on Basant Panchami, continues in various ashrams across the country, including Chitrakoot, Varanasi, and Ayodhya.

Published on Feb 03, 2025 09:41 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Final Amrit Snan today; akhadas plan grand show
The Amrit Snan of the akhadas will be held as per the time fixed by the administration for the Mauni Amavasya Snan on January 29

Published on Feb 03, 2025 07:44 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Bridging religious divide, Sangam city residents provide succour to pilgrims
The sentiment powering this aid effort was ‘these are our guests and we must help them in their time of need’.

Updated on Jan 31, 2025 09:05 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Decongestion plan rolled out for better crowd control in Sangam City
Influx of pilgrims stopped by holding back people in the designated holding areas, outflow of people returning home after the bathing expedited

Published on Jan 30, 2025 08:48 AM IST
Not first Kumbh to be marred by tragedy
The Mahakumbh-2025 saw a deadly stampede on Mauni Amavasya, echoing past tragedies at Kumbh Melas, including 42 deaths in 2013 and 800 in 1954.

Updated on Jan 29, 2025 09:51 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Mahakumbh stampede: Akhadas display restraint, allow pilgrims to bathe first
Sadhus of 13 Akhadas, including Naga ascetics, showed restraint post-stampede at Sangam, postponing rituals for pilgrims before bathing later.

Updated on Jan 29, 2025 09:30 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Akhadas’ bathing time shifted from 5 am to 4 am to manage crowd surge
As per the amended schedule of bathing decided by the mela administration in tune with the senior sadhus of the Akhadas, this time Mahanirvani and Atal Akhadas will leave their camps for the bathing ghats at 4:00 am

Published on Jan 29, 2025 09:30 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar
On Mauni Amavasya, Mahakumbh Nagar is the world’s most populated district
The Mahakumbh Nagar DM said that they expect 10 crore devotees to arrive in the fair area on Mauni Amavasya.

Published on Jan 29, 2025 02:33 AM IST
Buddhists from 10 nations also attending Mahakumbh
They have come from Russia, Mongolia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan among other nations

Updated on Jan 28, 2025 06:06 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mega kitchens of Mahakumbh: 40,000 rotis in an hour, 40 quintals of curry at one go
Large scale arrangements have been made in the Annakshetras (feeding areas) to provide food and prasad to such a large number of devotees

Updated on Jan 26, 2025 08:02 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Stage set for R-Day celebrations at Mahakumbh
76th Republic Day will be celebrated in Sangam area during Mahakumbh-2025, with flag hoisting, cultural events, and patriotic presentations.

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 09:09 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Ex-Bollywood star Mamta Kulkarni becomes Maha Mandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhada
Known for her bold and glamorous roles in the 1990s, Mamta’s transition from the glitzy world of Bollywood to a spiritual leader took place with the ‘sanyas diksha’ (monkhood initiation) at Sangam

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 06:04 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar
Mauni Amavasya preps: Zonal ghats designated for bathing, no VIP motorboats and more
Specific routes and ghats have been assigned for pilgrims from different regions to minimize crowding.

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 05:56 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar
Donations embrace the ‘smart path’ in digital Mahakumbh-2025
From religious institutions to sadhus, a large number of them have come up with QR codes to enable pilgrims, patrons, and tourists to make donations to them through the smart digital route.

Updated on Jan 24, 2025 05:04 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar
Mahakumbh: Atonement rooms prepare pilgrims for sacred fire rituals
Yagnas, an ancient Hindu practice, involve offering ghee, grains, and other materials into a sacred fire. These offerings, believed to bring blessings and purification, are a symbolic connection between devotees and divine forces.

Published on Jan 21, 2025 09:33 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Sadhus who left behind success for spirituality
Many former professionals, including athletes and engineers, have embraced asceticism at the Kumbh Mela, dedicating their lives to Sanatan Dharma.

Updated on Jan 20, 2025 07:24 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj
Mahakumbh: Products from pan-UP drawing crowd in ODOP Expo, sale of ₹35 crore expected
Stalls of major products of almost all 75 districts of the state have been set up in the exhibition.

Updated on Jan 19, 2025 07:04 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Mahakumbh: 800 sadhus initiated as Naga ascetics by Juna Akhada, perform ‘Pind Daan’ for generations
This ceremony extended from Saturday morning until past midnight, culminating in each sadhu receiving certificates after being initiated by the Akhada head, Acharya Maha Mandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri, at midnight.

Updated on Jan 19, 2025 06:56 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Mahakumbh-2025: Over 1,000 women set to be ordained, gain entry into Akhadas
At Mahakumbh 2025, over 1,000 women ascetics will receive 'sanyas diksha,' marking a historic shift in Sanatan Dharma's traditions.

Updated on Jan 19, 2025 05:02 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
2,500-year-old Persian technique powers Mahakumbh’s lifeline
Mahakumbh 2025 features innovative pontoon bridges, spanning 4,000 hectares, connecting 25 sectors, blending ancient techniques with modern engineering.

Updated on Jan 18, 2025 07:50 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar
For Naga sadhus, their weapons are symbols of ‘peace’
Naga sadhus showcase sacred weapons at Mahakumbh Mela, symbolizing peace and security, while honoring ancient traditions and bravery of Akhadas.

Updated on Jan 18, 2025 07:34 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Jangam sadhus enchant as ‘wandering shrines of Lord Shiva’
A visit by ‘Jangam’ sudhus to a household is considered equivalent to a visit from Lord Shiva himself, and they are regarded as superior to fixed lingas (stone idols installed in temples).

Updated on Jan 16, 2025 05:26 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar
12,000 Naga sadhus to be ordained at Mahakumbh
Rituals involve three days of spiritual austerities for aspirant sadhus ahead of the ordination ceremony; Juna, Niranjani and Mahanirvani Akhadas begin preparations

Updated on Jan 16, 2025 05:00 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Mahakumbh: The mystic world of Naga sadhus and their 17 ‘shringar’
Naga sadhus prepare for Amrit Snan by performing a unique 17 shringar, involving cleansing and smearing ash, before bathing in the Ganga.

Updated on Jan 15, 2025 05:42 AM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Sadhus earns titles like ‘Jagadguru’, others for their knowledge, meditation
At Mahakumbh-2025, many sadhus display titles like 'Jagadguru' and 'Shankaracharya', reflecting their knowledge and penance, enhancing devotees' faith.

Updated on Jan 14, 2025 10:34 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)
Makar Sankranti@Mahakumbh: Trans sadhus take dip, pray for happiness, prosperity of nation
The Kinnar Akhada, along with their hundreds of trans community members, arrived in a procession of 51 ‘chariots’ at Sangam Nose

Published on Jan 14, 2025 09:45 PM IST
K Sandeep Kumar, Mahakumbh Nagar (prayagraj)