Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and yoga guru Baba Ramdev performed a yoga pose at the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj on Monday. This came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a sacred dip at the Triveni Sangam, calling the grand religious gathering a "unique symbol of the Sanatan culture's philosophy, which is rooted in harmony.





Speaking at the event, Ramdev praised Amit Shah, stating, "Amit Shah ji is the pride of Sanatan Dharma. Mahakumbh is the biggest festival of Sanatan Dharma… This is the 'Gaurav-kaal' of the Sanatan yug."  






Shah took the dip around 1 pm, performed jal aachman (sipping of holy water), and offered water to the Sun, guided by top seers. Adityanath, who had entered the waters with Shah, initially moved behind when the senior BJP leader took the dip. However, upon the insistence of Junapithadheeshwar Mahamandelashwar Acharya Avdheshanand Giriji Maharaj, Adityanath rejoined the rituals.  


Shah's family, including son Jay Shah—who is also the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC)—participated in the rituals. His wife Sonal, daughter-in-law Rishita, and grandchildren also took part in the aarti at the Sangam. The newborn child of Jay Shah and Rishita was blessed by seers as the ICC chairman held him in his lap while his elder daughter joined him for the prayers.  


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Amit Shah's Maha Kumbh Visit


Following the dip, Shah and Adityanath visited the sacred Akshayvata, an ancient tree of immense mythological significance, and offered prayers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also prayed at the Akshayvata during his pre-Maha Kumbh visit in December.  


Before taking the dip, Shah interacted with Avdheshanand Giriji Maharaj and other seers in a cottage on a floating jetty, with Adityanath seated beside him.  


Security was unprecedented for Shah’s visit, with the mela area being declared a no-vehicle zone. Several route diversions were also imposed across Prayagraj, affecting locals and pilgrims.  


In a post on X, Adityanath wrote in Hindi, "Today, in the holy presence of revered seers and spiritual leaders, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah took a sacred dip at the holy Triveni Sangam in Tirthraj Prayag. May Ma Ganga, Ma Yamuna, and Ma Saraswati bless everyone with prosperity and well-being. This is our prayer." He also shared a Sanskrit shloka from the Padma Purana, highlighting the significance of bathing at the Sangam during the Hindu month of Magh.  






In another post, Adityanath stated, "In the sacred presence of revered seers, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah performed the ritual worship and aarti of the ever-purifying Mother Ganga at Prayagraj. May Mother Ganga's blessings remain upon the entire creation," along with a Sanskrit verse dedicated to the Ganga river.  






Earlier in the day, Shah also posted on X, calling the Maha Kumbh "a unique symbol of the continuous flow of the Sanatan culture." He added, "The Kumbh showcases the life philosophy of Sanatan Dharma, which is rooted in harmony. I am eager to take a dip at the Sangam and receive the blessings of seers at this great festival of unity and integrity in the holy city of Prayagraj."  


According to the Uttar Pradesh government, over 53.29 lakh people had taken a holy bath at the Maha Kumbh by 10 am on Monday. More than 10 lakh Kalpvasis are currently residing in the mela area, and over 13.21 crore people have taken the dip since the festival began on 13 January. Kalpvas is a month-long practice of austerity and spiritual discipline.  


The Maha Kumbh, one of the largest religious congregations in the world, will continue until 26 February.