On January 13, 2025, the Mahakumbh festival commenced in Prayagraj, India, marking a 45-day religious celebration that draws an astonishing congregation of approximately 400 million people. This event is known as the largest gathering in the world, dwarfing even the 1.8 million attendees of the Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia last year.
The Mahakumbh is a deeply spiritual event for Hindus, occurring every 12 years, with a smaller version, the Kumbh Mela, taking place every six years. The scale of this festival presents immense challenges in planning and logistics, especially with pilgrims arriving in near-freezing temperatures to take a dip in the sacred Ganges River.
To accommodate the influx of visitors, the Mahakumbh grounds have expanded from 16 square kilometers in 2013 to 40 square kilometers in 2025. The estimated number of pilgrims has surged from 160 million in 2013 to a projected 400 million this year. Over 13,000 trains and 250 flights will operate to facilitate travel to Prayagraj, with additional arrangements for day trips to nearby Varanasi and Ayodhya.
New measures have been implemented to enhance the experience for attendees, including the introduction of cruise trips along the Ganges for a better view of the Ganga Aarti. The Uttar Pradesh tourism department has also increased its budget and facilities, constructing 2,000 tent-style accommodations, ranging from affordable to luxurious options.
Security is a top priority, with a police force of 50,000 deployed to ensure safety, a significant increase from 12,000 in 2013. The combined budget for the event has exceeded ₹12,000 crore, with revenue generation expected to surpass ₹2 lakh crore, benefiting local economies and creating over 6 lakh jobs.
This grand spectacle is not only a convergence of faith but also a beacon of economic hope, potentially adding over one percent to India's GDP. As the Mahakumbh unfolds, it promises to be a transformative experience for both pilgrims and the local community.