The grand Maha Kumbh organized by the Uttar Pradesh government is drawing worldwide attention. As part of this, a 21-member delegation representing 10 countries visited the Sangam in Prayagraj on Thursday.
Denesh Persaud from Guyana shared his excitement with ANI after taking a holy dip in the River Ganges, calling it "a dream come true."
He added, "I always wanted to come here and take a holy dip in the River Ganges. I have fulfilled that wish," and encouraged others to partake in the event. "I encourage those who are here to come to this event and take a dip in the holy River Ganges," he stated.
Sally El Azab from the United Arab Emirates was among the many international visitors to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world.
She praised the event's organization, saying, "I am coming from the Middle East to India...It is a wonderful event," and added, "It is the largest religious gathering in the world...Here, everything is well organised to another level. The police are there for safety. The government has arranged it all very well."
The delegation, invited by the Ministry of External Affairs' External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division, arrived on Wednesday. Their accommodations were arranged at the Tent City in Arail, developed by the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation.
The international delegation includes representatives from countries such as Fiji, Finland, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
On the fourth day of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh, thousands of devotees took part in the holy dip at Triveni Sangam. Over 6 crore devotees have participated in the world's largest religious congregation, with more than 3.5 crore attending the Makar Sankranti celebrations on January 14.
In light of the massive influx of pilgrims, the Prayagraj administration has set up an AI-based computerized lost and found center.
Additional Mela Adhikari Vivek Chaturvedi shared details with ANI, explaining, "An AI-based lost and found centre has been set up. Arrangements are made there for accommodation, clothes, and food for the people who are lost... There has not been a single case in which we have not been able to reunite children or lost people with their relatives." Chaturvedi further added, "If there is a case in which we have not been able to reunite a person with his relatives, then the administration takes them to their home at its own expense."
The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. The upcoming significant bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).