Prayagraj: The Hindu pilgrimage Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2019 has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest crowd management, largest painting exercise of public sites and largest sanitation drive.



The Ministry of Culture said in a statement said that the decision was taken after a three-member team from the Guinness World Records visited Prayagraj.



“Exercises at a large-scale were performed before the team for four days, from February 28 to March 3,” the statement added.



The ministry also said that around 503 shuttle buses were put to service on the highway in one go for the team on February 28. Around 10,000 workers engaged in cleaning at the Kumbh and several others participated in a painting exercise on March 1.



Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2019 began on January 14 and will conclude on March 4 after the sixth and final "Shahi Snan" (royal bath) on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.



PTI reported that an estimated 1 crore devotees are expected to bathe on this auspicious day (Shivratri).



According to Hindu mythology, Mahashivratri symbolises the last holy bath of Kalpvasis who spend the month of Magh as Kalpvas, the period of austerity, living a minimalistic life.

Heavy rush on their mind, visitors began arriving at the makeshift Kumbh Nagri in Prayagraj even before midnight. By morning, the bathing ghats brimmed with colours of life.

Late-night showers in parts of the holy city failed to dampen the spirit of the pilgrims.

"Despite showers, I and my friends walked towards the bathing ghats and took dip," Dhananjay Singh, who came from Lucknow, said.

"I consider it (rain) a good sign."

