After a rare celestial alignment, the Maha Kumbh Mela has returned this year after 144 years. Devotees believe that taking the sacred “Amrit Snan” (a dip in the waters) at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati during this time will cleanse their sins and bring them closer to “moksha” (salvation). As a result, people are flocking to the Kumbh Mela from all corners of the world to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Amid the viral pictures and videos from the spiritual gathering that surface on social media almost daily, NASA astronaut Donald Pettit has shared breathtaking images of the “world’s largest human gathering” from space. The 69-year-old is currently stationed aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Expedition 72 crew.
“2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges River pilgrimage from the ISS at night. The largest human gathering in the world is well-lit,” wrote Pettit on X. Alongside, he shared two stunning pictures taken from space at night.
The pictures show the city shining bright at night.
While reacting to the stunning pictures, an individual wrote, “Absolutely mesmerizing. Thank you for taking this amazing picture. That ‘tiny’ area will host 400 million pilgrims 6 weeks. ~70 million will take a dip on 29th Jan! A white smudge on the pale blue dot with a sea of humanity.”
Another added, “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.”
