Updated 13:12 IST, January 27th 2025

NASA Astronaut Shares Breathtaking View of Maha Kumbh from Space: ‘Largest Human Gathering’

NASA astronaut Donald Pettit has stunned the internet with breathtaking images of the Maha Kumbh Mela from space.

Reported by: Digital Desk
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NASA Astronaut Shares Breathtaking View of Maha Kumbh from Space
NASA Astronaut Shares Breathtaking View of Maha Kumbh from Space | Image: X

NASA astronaut Donald Pettit has stunned the internet with breathtaking images of the Maha Kumbh Mela from space. The captivating photographs capture the “largest human gathering”, which has drawn millions of devotees from around the world.

Pettit shared the images from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Expedition 72 crew. Along with the glittering image of the city, he wrote, “2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges River pilgrimage from the ISS at night. The largest human gathering in the world is well lit.”

How Did Netizens React?

The images have gained widespread attention, garnering 353.7K views and numerous reactions.

“Absolutely mesmerizing. Thank you for taking this amazing picture. That ‘tiny’ area will host 400 million pilgrims over six weeks. 70 million will take a dip on January 29! A white smudge on the pale blue dot with a sea of humanity", a user wrote.

“There are literally millions of people in this photo, for an event that has not happened in 144 years. Taken from the ISS for the first time in history. Remarkable", another user remarked.

“Wonderful satellite images of the largest human gathering in the world, shared by NASA’s scientists", read a third comment.

Maha Kumbh 2025

The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj has already seen over 110 million people join in the first 14 days of the religious festival, making it one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world. The event, which occurs every 12 years, is expected to continue drawing an immense crowd until its conclusion on February 26, 2025.

With millions of devotees arriving from all corners of the globe, the festival serves as a vibrant celebration of faith and unity. Pilgrims travel to the Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the now-extinct Saraswati rivers—to take a ritual bath, believed to wash away sins and pave the way to moksha (liberation). This sacred dip is central to the spiritual significance of the festival, which is rooted in Sanatan Dharma. The Maha Kumbh Mela takes place during a celestial alignment, creating a rare and auspicious window for spiritual cleansing and devotion.

The festival not only brings together millions of religious devotees but also carries profound spiritual and cultural significance. Despite the cold weather, large congregations of devotees have braved the chilly waters to bathe in the sacred Sangam. The event is a poignant symbol of collective spirituality, transcending boundaries of language, lifestyle, and tradition.

As the festival progresses, authorities are making extensive preparations for the upcoming Mauni Amavasya on January 29, when an even larger crowd is expected. With an estimated 450 million (45 crore) visitors anticipated, this historic occasion will mark a significant milestone for India.

The Maha Kumbh Mela remains an awe-inspiring spectacle, drawing people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life to Prayagraj for a shared spiritual purpose.

(Inputs from ANI)

Published 13:09 IST, January 27th 2025