The Mahakumbh 2025, which is a once-in-144-year event because of a rare celestial alignment, has drawn saints and devotees from across the country and beyond. More than 63 crore people have come to Prayagraj in 45 days.
February 26 is the final day for holy dip of six-week Maha Kumbh Mela to mark the Mahashivratri day. The Triveni Sangam at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati is revered as a holy site.
As the festival concludes on February 26, here is a look at top newsmakers of Mahakumbh 2025.
Monalisa Bhosle
The biggest newsmaker from Mahakumbh mela 2025 would be Monalisa Bhosle, a 16-year-old amber-eyed girl who was selling beaded necklaces to the devotees at Prayagraj. The "brown beauty" became an instant sensation on social media and is set to make her Bollywood debut in Sanoj Mishra's The Diary of Manipur.
IIT baba Abhay Singh
Abhay Singh from Juna Akhara became viral during the Mahakumbh mela hit the headlines after media reported about his IIT background. Singh graduated in aerospace engineering from IIT Bombay and later pursued masters in design.
He also practices photography at a popular firm, worked in Delhi before moving to Canada. Returning to India, he spent his time in Shimla, Dharamshala and Mussoorie, taking to spirituality to find the ultimate truth.
Singh later told media that the 16 Madi Ashram kicked him out, alleging that the operators feared that he would expose them after he became famous.
Mamta Kulkarni
'Karan Arjun' actress Mamta Kulkarni who took to spirituality made headlines during the Mahakumbh when she performed her own pind daan at Sangam Ghat. She was appointed as Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara but within days she was expelled from there.
The Akhara said she should have first become a sanyasi before taking the Mahamandaleshwar title. It also flagged her film background after she was part of a topless photoshoot in the 1990s as well as her marriage to alleged drug kingpin Vicky Goswami.
Chai wale baba
Dinesh Swaroop Brahmachari, who came to be known as the Chai Wale Baba, was a tea seller who turned a an IIT coach. He has spent over four decades training civil service aspirants. He has abstained from eating and speaking during these 40 years and lived on ten cups of tea every day. To mentor IAS aspirants, he communicates through gestures and WhatsApp.
Ambassador baba
Mahant Rajgiri Naga Baba who hails from Indore has been travelling in his antique 1972 Ambassador, getting him the name Ambassador baba. He was spotted in the Ambassador during the Mahakumbh. He lives, sleeps and eats in his car.
Kaante wale baba
Ramesh Kumar Manjhi who became viral for lying on thorns earned the nickname Kaante Wale Baba.
He claims that because of god's glory, he can effortlessly lie on thorns and has been doing it every year for the past five decades.
Pigeon baba
Mahant Rajpuri Ji Maharaj got the nickname Pigeon Baba who has a pigeon as companion for the past nine years. He has named the pigeon Haripur ji.
Muscular baba
Atma Prem Giri Maharaj from Russia is a 7-foot-tall man became viral as muscular baba due to his build. Many of his fans compare him to Lord Parashuram, the avatar of Lord Vishnu.
He became a Hindu devotee 30 years ago and currently resides in Nepal. He is a member of Juna Akhara.
