Illuminated Prayagraj: Maha Kumbh 2025 captured by NASA astronaut

Viral news: NASA astronaut Donald Pettit has mesmerized the world with stunning photographs of Prayagraj illuminated for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Pettit, a 69-year-old astronaut and chemical engineer currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Expedition 72 crew, shared the images on his social media, showcasing the grandeur of the world’s largest religious gathering.

“2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges River pilgrimage from the ISS at night. The largest human gathering in the world is well lit,” Pettit captioned the awe-inspiring photos, which reveal a dazzling city shining brightly against the surrounding darkness of the night.

2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges River pilgrimage from the ISS at night. The largest human gathering in the world is well lit. pic.twitter.com/l9YD6o0Llo

— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) January 26, 2025

Social Media buzz over Pettit’s photos

The photographs, which quickly gained traction online, left Pettit's followers in awe. One user on X (formerly Twitter) described the image as a "super photo and capture of such a unique moment," while another asked for the exact date and time of the photograph’s capture. The striking visuals sparked curiosity and admiration for the scale of the Maha Kumbh Mela, as observed from outer space.

What is the Maha Kumbh Mela?

The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is the world’s largest religious gathering, drawing millions of devotees to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The event sees pilgrims taking a holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, to cleanse their sins and attain salvation.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela is expected to welcome over 450 million visitors, making it one of the most significant gatherings in human history. In comparison, events like the Rio Carnival and Germany’s Oktoberfest attract only a fraction of that number, with 7 and 7.2 million attendees, respectively.

Elaborate preparations in Prayagraj

Hosting such a massive event requires meticulous planning and infrastructure. In Prayagraj, over 10,000 sanitation workers and 1,800 Ganga Sevaduts have been deployed to ensure cleanliness and environmental preservation. Health services for attendees include 43 hospitals, 6,000 beds, and even air ambulance facilities. The event’s scale and grandeur are unparalleled, with the glowing city serving as a beacon of spiritual and cultural unity, visible even from space.