Astronaut Don Pettit captured from ISS 2025 Prayag Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh, India.
Kumbh Mela is an important Hindu pilgrimage, celebrated approximately every 6 and 12 years, correlated with the partial or full revolution of Jupiter and representing the largest human gathering in the world. Traditionally, the riverside fairs at four major pilgrimage sites are recognised as the Kumbh Melas: Prayagraj (Ganges-Yamuna-Sarasvati rivers confluence), Haridwar (Ganges), Nashik (Godavari), and Ujjain (Shipra). In Prayagraj, followers will bathe in the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three holy rivers – the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati – to purify their sins and take another step closer to “spiritual liberation.”
Prayagraj (Allahabad) is an ancient city that has been thriving since the time of King Ashoka. The Sangam, a sacred site for Hindus where the Ganges and Yamuna rivers merge, is located in the suburbs, attracting many pilgrims during grand festivals. The area is home to the ancient pillars from King Ashoka’s era and the remnants of a fort built by Emperor Akbar.
The local scenery on the ground is as follows.
Reference: Don Pettit’s Tweet 1, Don Pettit’s Tweet 2
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