A series of AI-generated images showing Indian cricketers at the Maha Kumbh Mela has taken the internet by storm. The Instagram page of Bharat Army shared images showing players like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and others, reimagined as sadhus. They captioned the post ‘When MahaKumbh meets Cricket!’.
Since their release, the images have received over 108,000 likes, with viewers praising the lifelike quality of the visuals while also questioning the ethics of such creations.
About Maha Kumbh mela
The Maha Kumbh Mela, considered the world’s largest religious gathering, got underway on January 13 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This sacred Hindu festival draws millions of devotees who participate in spiritual rituals, the most prominent being the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 runs from January 13 to February 26 in Prayagraj. In the first 10 days alone, over 10 crore devotees have taken the holy dip at Sangam, with the total expected to surpass 40 crore by the end of the 45-day festival.
The first Amrit Snan took place on January 14, coinciding with Makar Sankranti. Key upcoming bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). This sacred ritual of bathing is believed to purify the soul, absolve sins, and lead to spiritual liberation.
