NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared a view of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 from the vantage point of the International Space Station. As captured by Pettit, a seasoned astronaut and astrophotographer, the images reveal the Maha Kumbh Mela's illumination along the banks of the Ganges River. The photos show one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious pilgrimage, draws millions of devotees globally to immerse in the waters of the Ganges. First held on January 13, the event lasts until February 26, 2025, with opportunities for devotees to bathe and participate in spiritual practices throughout.
Pettit, who spent 555 days aboard the International Space Station as part of the Expedition 72 crew, captured the illuminated city of Prayagraj, the host of the festival. The images of the Maha Kumbh Mela reveal its immense scale, as noted by The Indian Express. The images were shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
2025 Maha Kumbh Mela Ganges River pilgrimage from the ISS at night. The largest human gathering in the world is well lit. pic.twitter.com/l9YD6o0Llo
— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) January 26, 2025
The Kumbh Mela happens every 12 years, drawing an astonishing number of visitors. Over 110 million devotees participated in the initial days of the ongoing festival in Prayagraj, making it one of the largest gatherings in recent memory, according to Kannada Prabha.
“The world's largest human gathering was glowing with lamps along the banks of the Ganges River,” noted Pettit.
Pettit's images received over 24,000 likes.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.