Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: The grand Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, commenced on January 13, 2025, in Prayagraj. Held every 12 years, this six-week spiritual extravaganza is expected to draw over 400 million devotees from across the globe.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the festival’s profound cultural importance, stating, “The Maha Kumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony.”
To ensure a seamless experience for pilgrims, the Prime Minister inaugurated 167 development projects worth ₹5,500 crore. These projects include the enhancement of spiritual corridors like Akshayvat, Hanuman Mandir, Bhardwaj Ashram, and Shringverpur Dham. A multilingual chatbot has also been introduced to assist devotees, reflecting the blend of tradition and technology.
The festival’s core ritual—bathing at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers—began with over 2.5 million devotees taking the holy dip on the first day. A special “royal bath” for ascetics is scheduled for the following day.
To manage the massive influx of pilgrims, around 40,000 police personnel have been deployed, supported by AI-enabled surveillance systems. A vast temporary city covering 4,000 hectares has been set up, complete with 150,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, and 145,000 restrooms, ensuring comfort and security for visitors.
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 not only reaffirms India’s deep-rooted spiritual traditions but also showcases the nation’s extraordinary ability to organize and manage mega-events, celebrating unity in diversity.
