Maha Kumbh 2025: What is the Sangam, where PM Modi is set to take holy dip today?

Prime Minister Narendra will be taking a holy dip in Prayagraj’s Triveni Sangam on Wednesday (February 5) during the ongoing Maha Kumbh festival.

His visit comes almost a week after the stampede at the Maha Kumbh mela near Sangam that killed at least 30 devotees and injured nearly 60 others during the ‘amrit snan’ on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya .

Here’s all we know about the popular spot.

The Sangam

Sangam, or Sangam Nose, is the sacred confluence point where the muddy brown water of the Ganga River meets the green water of the Yamuna River, along with the mythical Saraswati, which remains unseen but is believed to run underground.

Also known as Triveni Sangam, it is located about seven kilometres from Civil Lines, overlooked by the eastern ramparts of the Akbar Fort.

In Hinduism, it is believed that taking a dip in the Sangam washes away sins and frees people from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

On the auspicious days during the once-in-144-year Maha Kumbh, taking the dip at the holy site is considered to have a higher spiritual value because of the celestial agreement.

“It is believed in Hinduism that one attains salvation by having a bath at Sangam Nose. This is the reason why every devotee wants to reach Sangam and take a bath,” Prayagraj-based astrologer Pandit Ramesh Pandey told the BBC.

Well, the Sangam Nose is not the only designated Kumbh Mela site. The Nose is a part of the 4,000-hectare Mela site.

There are other bathing ghats on the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers as well.

Its significance

The Sangam is the most popular place for holy dips during Maha Kumbh 2025 because of its location at the meeting point of the sacred rivers and the significant occasions.

Legend has it that Lord Vishnu was carrying a Kumbh (pot) of amrit (nectar) when four drops were spilt during a fight.

The four Tirthas of Prayag, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain are where they dropped to Earth.

The place where the pious can find salvation is called a tirtha.

The Kumbh Mela, which is conducted at each tirtha in turn every three years, marks the event.

The event, which has its roots in Sanatan Dharma, represents a celestial alignment that brings forth an ideal moment for devotion and spiritual purification.

Over 45 crore people are anticipated to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela, which would be a historic event for India.

The Sangam is called Tirtharaj, the “King of Tirthas,” and the Kumbh is held here once every twelve years, which is the greatest and holiest of all.

Since the festival began on January 13, more than 140 million individuals have taken the holy dip, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are among the well-known figures who have taken the holy dip.

The stampede

The massive gathering at Sangam Nose of the Maha Kumbh resulted in the stampede during the early hours of ‘Mauni Amavasya’ on Wednesday (January 29).

According to reports, at least 30 devotees lost their lives and about 60 others were injured.

Reflecting on the tragedy, CM Adityanath said the accident happened due to overcrowding and the collapse of barricades.

He also urged people to avoid the Sangam Nose and instead take their holy dip at nearby ghats.

The CM ordered a judicial inquiry into the stampede and stated that a judicial committee will submit its report to the state government within a specified timeframe.

Following the incident, increased security measures have been put in place, with NSG commandos taking charge of security in the Sangam area, where public access has been restricted.

In Prayagraj, restrictions have been imposed on pilgrims to prevent further crowding, with measures extending to nearby districts.

Following the stampede, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that “thousands” of people had been killed, starting a political blame game.

His comments were deemed “baseless, false, and misleading” by Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

Jaya Bachchan, an MP for the Samajwadi Party, also sparked controversy when she said that the bodies of the deceased were thrown into the Ganga, making the water in Prayagraj highly contaminated.

PM Modi’s itinerary

The prime minister is scheduled to take a holy dip between 11 am and 11.30 am.

He will arrive at Prayagraj Airport at 10.05 am and will travel from the airport to DPS Helipad.

He will reach Arail Ghat by 10.45 am and will take a boat to reach the Maha Kumbh 2025.

He is expected to interact with saints and review the arrangements for the millions of pilgrims attending the holy gathering.

PM Modi will depart from Prayagraj by an Indian Air Force aircraft at around 12.30 pm.

With inputs from agencies