The ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has captured the attention of millions, reaching beyond Earth to space. NASA astronaut Don Pettit, aboard the International Space Station (ISS), shared breathtaking images of the grand event, offering a unique aerial perspective of its vast scale.
Mr. Pettit, acclaimed for his remarkable astrophotography, shared the images on X with the caption, “2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges River pilgrimage from the ISS at night. The largest human gathering in the world is well lit.”
The tent city of Prayagraj, located near the Sangam – the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers – shines brightly in the images.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held once every 144 years, is famous for its immense gathering of pilgrims and profound spiritual significance. Orbiting at 28,000 km per hour above Earth, the ISS captured the event’s radiant glow using its powerful cameras.
The internet has since exploded with reactions to the stunning photos.
A user commented, “That reminds me of being a star in space and having other stars gather with me until we create a supernova and result in a new universe being formed.”
Another wrote, “The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela at the Ganges River, seen from the International Space Station at night, showcases the immense scale of this religious pilgrimage. The gathering, known as the world’s largest human assembly, appears strikingly illuminated from space.”
The UP government invested Rs 400 crore to ensure 24/7 electricity during the 45-day festival that started January 13. Key upgrades include 182 km of high-tension lines, 40,000 rechargeable bulbs, and AI-enabled security measures like 2,700 CCTV cameras and underwater drones at the Triveni Sangam.
Don Pettit is joined on the ISS by fellow astronaut Sunita Williams and other crew members. Ms. Williams, along with her colleague Barry Willmore, has spent 10 months aboard the station after their mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was extended. Their return to Earth, originally planned for February, has been further delayed due to the postponement of the SpaceX Crew 10 launch, now rescheduled for late March 2025.