India marks Maha Shivratri during Mahakumbh with unprecedented fervour

Ongoing 144-year-old Hindu religious festival of Mahakumbh reached a new fervent height with Maha Shivratri celebrated on 26th February 2025 in India. Maha Shivratri is said to mark the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Estimates range between 400 and 500 million Indians, overseas Indians and also foreigners, who have visited Prayagraj, earlier known as Allahbad in Uttar Pradesh state of India to take a holy dip. Prayagraj is the confluence of three north Indian holy rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Maha Kumbh is a rare celestial alignment of planets and stars in the solar system, making it auspicious for Hindus who believe in the astrology, and refer to it as a science. Every woman and man of standing seems to have made the trek despite massive traffic jams, congested and long walks to the river beaches, and stampedes and some incidents that have taken perhaps 100 lives over the last six weeks.

Every political and social leader took to social and traditional media to wish Indians and Hindus globally. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri should create a stronger resolve toward building a 'Viksit Bharat.' He like all others chanted the prayer-greeting ‘Har Har Mahadev.’ Indian President Mrs. Droupadi Murmu on the platform X hoped that the Supreme God Mahadev blessings will help India move ahead on the path of progress. With tens of millions of Hindu devotees thronging the Triveni Sangam of rivers for the final holy dip, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hoped Maha Shivratribrings salvation of the entire creation. Indian Parliament Opposition leader from the Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi, hoped for blessings of Shiv Shakti be with all.

Some scholars argue that there is no mention of this Lord Shiva – Goddess Parvati wedding event in ancient scriptures. Other pundits say the Shiva Purana refers to the Shivling first manifesting on the fourteenth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Falgun, known as Chaturdashi Tithi. On this day, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma worshipped the Shivling, establishing it as a sacred occasion called Shivratri. Irrespective, India seemed to reverberate with the chant and celebrations of Maha Shivratri. Those away from the Mahakumb visited temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and offered prayers with great devotion and enthusiasm.

During the Maha Shivratri celebration, devotees observe fasts, offer prayers, and participate in night-long vigils to seek the deity's blessings.

The first Amrit Snan or holy dip of Paush Purnima began on January 13, followed by Snan on Makar Sankranti on January 14, Mauni Amavasya on January 29, Basant Panchami on February 3, Maghi Purnima on February 12, and the last snan on February 26, Maha Shivaratri.