Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Live Updates: Union Home Minister Amit Shah likely to visit Kumbh Mela on January 27

At the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Monalisa Bhonsle, a garland seller from Indore, has unexpectedly become the focal point of attention among the spiritual crowd.Known for her striking features — dusky complexion, amber eyes, distinctive nose, and well-defined facial structure — she has drawn comparisons to the iconic Mona Lisa.

Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani on Tuesday performed seva at the ISKCON camp at Sangam during Maha Kumbh. The Adani Group, in collaboration with ISKCON, is offering free meals under the 'Mahaprasad Seva' initiative for the entire duration of the spiritual gathering, from January 13 to February 26. Expressing his enthusiasm for the event, Adani said, “I am very, very excited for the Mahakumbh.” Calling the Kumbh a sacred hub of devotion and service, he added, “It is my good fortune that we are starting the Mahaprasad Seva for the devotees in collaboration with ISKCON.”

Inclined towards Sanatan Dharma from the age of seven, Mamta, a postgraduate from Delhi, became Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhara two months after her marriage. Mamta is getting full support of her family, including her husband Sandeep Vashistha and in-laws, to spread Sanatan Dharma across the globe.

A heated debate has now emerged in Prayagraj over Shambhavi Peethadheeshwar Swami Anand Swaroop's objections to model-influencer Harsha Richaria's participation in the first Amrit Snan held on Makar Sankranti at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The controversy intensified when Ravindra Puri, president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), announced that he would take Harsha to Sangam in the chariot of Niranjani Akhara on Jan 29, the second Amrit Snan, allowing her to take a holy dip in the sacred waters.

When Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang visited India during the reign of emperor Harshavardhan in AD 644, he chronicled the Allahabad Fort, presently under the jurisdiction of Army Ordnance Depot, as a magnificent fortified edifice encompassed by two rivers Ganga and Yamuna, situated in a verdant garden to the south and west of the kingdom of Po-lo-ye-Kia, now referred as Prayag city. He documented the existence of a temple including the shrine of Shiva inside the fort adjacent to a sacred banyan tree.

Another fire broke out at a tent in Sector No. 5 of the Maha Kumbh Mela on Wednesday morning while preparations were being made to fry puris. The incident occurred at the kitchen of Ram Das ashram. The flames were swiftly contained by firemen, who acted quickly to prevent the fire from spreading further.

A grand pavilion highlighting diverse roles and achievements of the Uttar Pradesh Police was set up at the Maha Kumbh 2025. The pavilion, spread over a 15,000 square foot area, showcases 20 specialised wings of the force, including the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Special Task Force (STF), Cyber Crime Unit, Women and Child Safety Organisation (WCSO) and others. It aims to give visitors a comprehensive understanding of the police's contributions to public safety and order.

s the Maha Kumbh entered its eighth day, over 22.7 lakh pilgrims visited the Mela by 8 am on Monday, according to official data from the Uttar Pradesh government. Among the congregation at Sangam Triveni, 10 lakh Kalpvasis and 12.7 lakh pilgrims had taken the holy dip by the same time.By January 19, the total number of pilgrims who took a dip at Sangam Triveni during the Maha Kumbh 2025 exceeded 826 lakh.

The Uttar Pradesh government issued a fire safety advisory on Monday for all camps at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.The advisory urged people to promptly report any fire or emergency incidents to the Mela control, local police, or fire stations using helpline numbers 112, 1920, 1090, or those specified by the ICCC. In the event of a fire, the advisory instructed people to alert others by creating noise to notify nearby tents of the danger.

As mela police and fire department personnel took swift action to control the fire that broke out in Sector 19, chief minister Yogi Adityanath personally monitored the situation which ensured that no casualties take place in the incident.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inquired about the incident after which the CM updated him on the timely response by fire brigade, NDRF, and SDRF teams.

A major fire broke out in Sector 19 of Maha Kumbh mela area on Sunday afternoon due to LPG cylinder blasts, gutting at least 40 huts and six tents. However, no casualties were reported as the blaze was swiftly brought under control. More than 25 people were evacuated from different camps at the blaze site, between the old and new railway bridges, claimed fire services officials. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who was already in the Sangam area for reviewing the preparations for the Mauni Amavasya day, rushed to the fire site to take stock of the situation.