Prayagraj: A grand 118-member delegation, including Heads of Mission (HoM), their spouses, and diplomats from 77 countries, arrived at the Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra on Saturday to witness the world’s largest religious gathering. The event, deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, is a significant display of faith and spirituality, drawing millions of pilgrims and ascetics from across the globe.
Slovak Ambassador to India, Robert Maxian, expressed his admiration for the event, congratulating the Indian government for its successful organization. “I am very excited. I want to congratulate your government for organising this great spiritual event… I am a fan of India. India is like my second home,” he stated.
Similarly, Mariano Caucino, the Argentine Ambassador to India, shared his enthusiasm about participating in the religious festivities. “I am very happy to take part in this important ceremony and follow the traditions,” he remarked.
The arrival of foreign diplomats was warmly acknowledged by BJP leader Sidharth Nath Singh, who emphasized the significance of their presence. “Ambassadors and High Commissioners have come to participate in the Maha Kumbh. We have to welcome them. Everyone is excited,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to India, Stella Nkomo, described the experience as “once in a lifetime,” highlighting the cultural diplomacy aspect of the event. “Diplomatic life is also about pursuing cultural and public diplomacy. This is cultural diplomacy where we seek to understand India deeply… We are grateful to the Uttar Pradesh state for hosting us,” she noted.
Christian Villarreal, Bolivia’s Head of Mission in India, recalled a previous diplomatic invitation to Diwali celebrations but emphasized the unmatched scale of the Maha Kumbh. “The Minister of External Affairs has the capacity to invite us once a year to the main celebrations of India. I had the privilege to be invited to Diwali 1.5 years ago, but nothing compares to this occasion. Not even my sons will be able to visit such an event, which happens once in 144 years,” he observed.
On Saturday alone, over 5.42 million devotees took a sacred dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers. Among them were over 1 million Kalpavasis and 4.42 million pilgrims who immersed themselves in the holy waters of Triveni Sangam.
Since the commencement of the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 13, a staggering 314.6 million devotees have already participated in the sacred ritual.
As per the Maha Kumbh Mela website, this festival, known as the ‘Festival of the Sacred Pitcher,’ is a confluence of faith and spirituality. It gathers ascetics, saints, sadhus, sadhvis, kalpvasis, and pilgrims from diverse walks of life.
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, which began on January 13, is set to continue till February 26, marking an extraordinary occasion of devotion, cultural exchange, and global recognition of India’s spiritual heritage.
