NASA Astronaut Shares Stunning Photos Of Maha Kumbh Mela From Space

The continuing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has drawn the focus of millions, both on the planet and from outer space. NASA astronaut Don Pettit, currently on the International Space Station (ISS), has issued photographs of the occurrence, capturing its magnificence from above.

Mr. Pettit, recognized for his outstanding astrophotography, shared the photos on X, stating, “2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges River pilgrimage from the ISS during nighttime.” The biggest assembly of people on the planet is well illuminated.

The tent city of Prayagraj close to the Sangam – where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the legendary Saraswati rivers meet – shines in photographs.The Maha Kumbh Mela, occurring once every 144 years, is famous for its vast assembly of devotees and its profound spiritual importance. The ISS, traveling at 28,000 km per hour around Earth, recorded the event’s brightness with its powerful cameras. Since then, the internet has been flooded with responses to the incredible images.

A user remarked, “That brings to mind being a star in the cosmos and having fellow stars come together with me until we form a supernova, leading to the creation of a new universe.”

Another wrote, “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.”

The UP government allocated Rs 400 crore to guarantee round-the-clock electricity throughout the 45-day festival that began on January 13. Major enhancements consist of 182 km of high-voltage cables, 40,000 rechargeable light bulbs, and AI-driven security features, such as 2,700 CCTV cameras and underwater drones at the Triveni Sangam.

Don Pettit is joined on the ISS by fellow astronaut Sunita Williams and several others. Ms. Williams and her associate Barry Willmore have spent 10 months on the ISS following the extension of their mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Their return to Earth in February was delayed again because of setbacks in the SpaceX Crew 10 launch, which is now planned for late March 2025.

In a surprising revelation for Pakistani experts, India’s intelligence agencies were aware of “everything” regarding the travel of the four-member team from Pakistan’s infamous spy agency ISI during their recent trip to Bangladesh. In a discussion with a new channel, former Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit acknowledged that India continues to have a significant presence in Bangladesh and was aware of “everything” regarding the ISI team’s trip to Dhaka.

“India knew everything, the flight number, when the flight landed who were present in it, even the route they were taking after landing in Dhaka, New Delhi still has a strong presence inside Bangladesh,” Basit said. “India’s intelligence network remains strong, their people are present everywhere, from the airport to the streets and markets in Dhaka,” the former diplomat added, while urging the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government to pay attention to this fact.

Basit stated that the ISI delegation’s trip was a “routine visit” and not a worry for India, while also expressing astonishment that New Delhi chose to monitor the situation closely.