In a unique display of devotion, a woman attending the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj allowed her husband to experience a virtual holy dip by submerging her mobile phone in the Triveni Sangam while on a video call with him.
The incident, which quickly went viral on social media, showed the woman repeatedly dipping her phone into the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. The act was intended to let her husband, who was unable to attend the festival, participate in the ritual from afar.
While some praised the couple’s dedication, others responded with humor and skepticism. One social media user jokingly remarked that the woman’s phone must be of “high-standard waterproof” quality.
Concerns Over Water Contamination
Amid the spiritual fervor, a recent report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) raised alarming concerns about water quality in the Ganga at Prayagraj. The study found dangerously high levels of faecal coliform bacteria, indicating significant contamination from human and animal waste.
The presence of such bacteria suggests severe sewage pollution, posing health risks for thousands of devotees who take ritualistic dips during the festival, believing it grants spiritual purification.
“The river water quality did not meet primary bathing standards at all monitored locations,” the CPCB report stated, warning that the massive influx of pilgrims on auspicious bathing days exacerbates the pollution.
Despite concerns over hygiene, the Maha Kumbh Mela continues to attract millions of devotees who regard the holy dip as a path to spiritual cleansing and salvation.
