NASA astronauts captured the breathtaking picture of Maha Kumbh Mela from 400km above Earth, showcasing the world’s largest human gathering.
The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj has attracted millions of people on Earth and from space. NASA astronaut Donald Pettit has shared stunning photographs of Prayagraj lit up for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.
Mr Pettit, a well-known astrophotographer, posted the images on X, writing, “2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges River Pilgrimage from the ISS at night. The largest human gathering in the world well lit”.
On Sunday, he took to social media to share two photographs of a sprawling city glittering alone in a sea of black. The American astronaut and chemical engineer explained that his picture shows the Maha Kumbh Mela as seen from the ISS at night.
MyGovIndia an X handle also shared the post using the below quotes:
“A breathtaking view from beyond the stars!
NASA Astronaut @astro_Pettit shares a stunning glimpse of the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela along the sacred river Ganga, captured from the International Space Station.”
MahaKumbh radiates its divine energy, visible even from space, reflecting India’s timeless spiritual heritage and profound cultural significance.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, a once-in-a-lifetime event that happens every 144 years, is a massive gathering of pilgrims and a spiritual powerhouse. And guess what? The International Space Station, zooming around Earth at 28,000 km per hour, captured the event’s glow using its super-duper cameras!
About The Maha Kumbh
The Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering, is happening in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The Ministry of Culture estimates that over 450 crore devotees will visit the event to take a holy dip at the Sangam. To put its massive scale into perspective, the Rio Carnival sees around 70 lakh visitors, and Germany’s Oktoberfest attracts about 72 lakh —numbers that pale in comparison to the Maha Kumbh.
with such a large gathering to host, and arrangements have been made in Prayagraj. The has witnessed the deployment of more than 10,000 sanitation workers and 2,000 Ganga Sevadut. More than 6,000 beds, 43 hospitals and other health facilities are available there.
The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated a substantial investment of Rs 400 crore to ensure uninterrupted 24/7 electricity supply during the 45-day festival commencing on January 13. The key upgrades include the installation of 182 kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines, the procurement of 40,000 rechargeable energy-efficient bulbs, and the implementation of advanced AI-driven security measures, including 2,700 CCTV cameras and underwater drones, at the Triveni Sangam.
