New Delhi:
The current Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj has caught the attention of millions of people, not only on Earth but also from space. NASA astronaut Don Pettit, aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has shared images of the event, showing its grandeur from the sky.
Pettit, known for his exceptional astrophotography, posted the images on
The tent city of Prayagraj, near the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, dazzles in images.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held once in 144 years, is famous for its massive gathering of pilgrims and its deep spiritual significance. The ISS, which orbits at 28,000 kilometers per hour above Earth, captured the glow of the event using its high-powered cameras.
2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges River Pilgrimage from ISS at night. The largest human gathering in the world is well lit. pic.twitter.com/l9YD6o0Llo
-Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) January 26, 2025
Since then, the internet has exploded with reactions to the stunning photos.
One user commented: “That reminds me of being a star in space and having other stars gather around me until we create a supernova and the result is the formation of a new universe.”
That reminds me of being a star in space and having other stars gather around me until we create a supernova and the result is the formation of a new universe.
-Elaina (@elaina_welch) January 27, 2025
Another wrote: “The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela on the Ganges River, seen from the International Space Station at night, shows the immense scale of this religious pilgrimage. The gathering, known as the world’s largest human assembly, appears strikingly illuminated from space.”
The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela on the Ganges River, seen from the International Space Station at night, shows the immense scale of this religious pilgrimage. The gathering, known as the world’s largest human assembly, appears strikingly illuminated from space.
— Tic Toc (@TickTockUSA2025) January 26, 2025
“Wow, the pictures are amazing,” one comment reads.
Wow, are the images amazing?
– Harshpatel (@Harshpatel1408) January 27, 2025
The UP government invested Rs 400 crore to ensure 24/7 electricity during the 45-day festival that began on January 13. Key improvements include 182 km of high tension lines, 40,000 rechargeable light bulbs and AI-enabled security measures such as 2,700 CCTV cameras and Underwater Drones at Triveni Sangam.
Don Pettit is accompanied on the ISS by fellow astronaut Sunita Williams and others. Williams and colleague Barry Willmore spent 10 months on the ISS after their mission was extended aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Its return to Earth in February was further postponed due to delays in the launch of SpaceX Crew 10, now scheduled for late March 2025.
By
