Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 10 (HBTV): The recently concluded MahaKumbh festival witnessed record-breaking success with over 60 crore devotees from India and abroad taking the holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

However, the festival drew criticism from the opposition, which labelled it a political event. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has responded, asserting that it was not a 'BJP event', and emphasised that Kumbh represents 'Bhavya and Divya'.

In an interview with ANI, the Chief Minister credited the success of MahaKumbh 2025 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that more than 66 crore devotees bathed in the holy Triveni over the 45-day period.

'During the MahaKumbh, we had installed CCTV cameras. Using the AI tool, we counted the heads of people. We also arranged that one person's face should not be counted for the second time. Because many people who had come to Kumbh were taking baths twice or thrice in 24 hours. But the count was done once. The face recognition was also done. The headcount was also done. After 24 hours, the final data was used to be prepared. And for that, we prepared an integrated centre. Through which all these things were monitored. So all these counts were done through that. More than 66.3 crore devotees have come and bathed in these 45 days,' Adityanath said.

CM Adityanath further remarked that only those who have attended the Kumbh can truly grasp its significance.

'Kumbh can only be understood by those people who have visited the Kumbh. For the rest of the people, it will seem unbelievable. Just like during the Mahabharata war, when God showed his unique form and only three people could see that unique form. Arjun could see it, Sanjay could see it, and God Ved Vyas could see it. These three had recognized the form of God, and that is why Sanjay said to Dhritarashtra, "See, remember, after seeing the form of God, I can say that where there is Shri Krishna, there will be victory. Because that is the religion, that is the truth." And about Kumbh, only they can speak who have seen or witnessed Kumbh,' he said.

Taking aim at the Congress and other opposition parties for their criticism of MahaKumbh 2025, Adityanath said many opposition leaders themselves had attended the event.

'Jaisi drishti, vaise srishti. We didn't force them to come to Kumbh. Many of their leaders came. Many of their ministers came. Many of their deputy CMs came. Many of Congress' Chief Ministers also came. They came and went. It was not a BJP event. The BJP-led central government and the state government take care of the people's well-being. We respect their faith. From 1947 to 2014, Congress was in power most of the time, so why didn't they do it during this time? They got a lot of opportunities. Even in the country, from 1947 to 1989, the government of Congress was in the majority. So why didn't they take care of people's well-being during this time? At that time, why didn't they present the social aspects of the Kumbh?' he said.

The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Modi for elevating the cultural status of the Kumbh, noting that it was under his leadership that it gained recognition from UNESCO.

'Prime Minister Modi ji established Prayagraj Kumbh in UNESCO in 2019 as a cultural heritage. He promoted all the missions of the world to be incorporated in Prayagraj. He worked to unite the indigenous Indians of the world with the Kumbh. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was organized in Varanasi in 2019. Kumbh means Bhavya and Divya. It means cleanliness, security and well-being became its model. We should learn to respect the facilities of the people and their faith. The vision given by Modi ji,' Adityanath said.

The MahaKumbh 2025 set a new benchmark for managing large-scale events, combining tradition with technology to welcome a global audience. With its record-breaking participation, enhanced infrastructure, and spiritual significance, the MahaKumbh stands as a beacon, inspiring millions with its message of faith and unity.

(ANI)