Dilip Guha ★ Prayagraj : The 45-day-long much-awaited Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, also known as the largest congregation of humanity, began in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima on Monday. The devotees have been gathering at the Sangam to take a holy dip in the confluence of two rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar on Monday said that around 10 million people have taken a dip in the sacred Sangam.
An estimated 60 lakh devotees took the holy dip at the sacred Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers—on the first day of Maha Kumbh, symbolizing spiritual purification. Several foreigners, including Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of Apple founder Steve Jobs, are participating in the festival. Renamed “Kamala” by her guru, Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Jobs plans to stay at the Kumbh and is considering taking a holy dip in the Ganga.
Extensive Security Measures
The Uttar Pradesh police have implemented extensive security measures across the city to ensure the safety of attendees during the Maha Kumbh. For the first time, underwater drones capable of diving up to 100 meters have been deployed to maintain 24/7 surveillance in the Sangam area. Additionally, at least 2,700 AI-equipped cameras with real-time monitoring and facial recognition technology have been installed at entry points to enhance security.
“The Maha Kumbh began yesterday morning with the holy dip. Nearly 60 lakh people have already taken the dip. This year’s Kumbh is a fusion of faith and modernity. In addition to the traditional police arrangements, we have implemented the latest technologies to provide better security for the devotees, and it is having a positive impact,” DGP Prashant Kumar said.
To accommodate the influx of pilgrims, authorities have arranged 150,000 tents and added extra toilets and sanitation facilities to ensure a comfortable stay for visitors.
He said that the police personnel remain deployed as the rush of devotees continues at Sangam and the police administration was surveilling the area via drones. The DGP added that no information about any mishap has been reported.
“The rush of devotees is continuing at Sangam. Police personnel are present there, drone surveillance is also being done. Underwater drones have also been used for security. Till now, we have received no information about any unpleasant incident taking place in the Prayagraj area and the state. All senior officials and the CMO office are monitoring the situation,” DGP Kumar said.
“All arrangements made by the Transport department for devotees coming by road are also operating smoothly. There are no obstacles in the flow of traffic on all roads leading to Prayagraj. Shortcomings which we find in today’s arrangements will be worked upon to be improved for tomorrow’s ‘Amrit snan’,” he added.
The Maha Kumbh 2025, the world’s largest religious gathering, has officially begun in Prayagraj, marking the start of a grand 45-day spiritual event. The Maha Kumbh 2025 is being organized over a sprawling 10,000-acre area.
Thousands of devotees have already flocked to the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati river at Triveni Sangam to take part in the holy bath.
The government has meticulously planned the event. Key arrangements include 0.15 million toilets, 15,000 sanitation workers, 2,500 Ganga Seva Doots (volunteers), and 0.15 million tents in the Mela area. The state government has set up 69,000 LED lights, including solar hybrid street lighting, 2,750 crowd-monitoring cameras, and 24/7 Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) monitoring. Additionally, there will be 10 digital lost-and-found centres, 25,000 workers on the ground, and parking facilities covering 1,800 hectares.
Uttar Pradesh police have established a floating police chowki to assist devotees as the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh commenced on Monday, beginning with the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima. Over 10,000 personnel, including local police and paramilitary forces, have been deployed for the event’s security.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed a “water ambulance” stationed at Sangam to ensure the safety of devotees. The ambulance, equipped with medical facilities and staffed by doctors and NDRF officials, will operate 24/7 throughout the event.
Maha Kumbh Mela Economic Impact
The event, being held after 12 years, has been set up at around 4,000 hectares and will continue till February 26. It is expected to give a massive boost to the economic growth of Uttar Pradesh, the most populated state in India, which allocated around Rs 7,000 crore budget for the 45-day-long mega event.
Maha Kumbh Projected To Earn Up To Rs 2 Lakh Crore.
Maha Kumbh 2025 is projected to generate up to Rs 2 lakh crore in economic growth for Uttar Pradesh. According to estimates, the event may generate Rs 2 lakh crore if each of 40 crore visitors spends an average of Rs 5,000. The news agency IANS, citing industry estimates, said the average expenditure per person could rise to even Rs 10,000 and the total economic impact could reach Rs 4 lakh crore. It is also expected to boost both nominal and real GDP by over 1 per cent.
According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the food and beverage sector, including packaged foods, water, biscuits, juices, and meals, is estimated to add Rs 20,000 crore to the overall trade. The Traders’ body also said that religious items and offerings, such as oil, lamps, Ganga water, idols, incense sticks, and religious books, are another major area of economic activity, contributing an estimated Rs 20,000 crore.
Transportation and logistics, including local and interstate services, freight, and taxis, are expected to account for Rs 10,000 crore, while tourism services, such as tour guides, travel packages, and related activities, are likely to contribute another Rs 10,000 crore, the CAIT said. Temporary medical camps, Ayurvedic products, and medicines could bring in Rs 3,000 crore, while sectors like e-ticketing, digital payments, Wi-Fi services, and mobile charging stations are expected to see business worth Rs 1,000 crore. Entertainment and media, including advertising and promotional activities, are projected to generate Rs 10,000 crore in trade, the CAIT said.
Apart from this, a team of 56 cyber warriors will monitor online threats and cyber help desks have been set up in all police stations in the city. Authorities have set up 150,000 tents to accommodate the pilgrims, along with additional toilets and sanitation facilities. At least 450,000 new electricity connections have been installed, with the Kumbh expected to drain more power than what 100,000 urban apartments in the region consume in a month. Several electric buses and state-of-the-art facilities have also been set up for devotees. The Indian Railways has introduced 98 special trains that will make 3,300 trips during the festival. Apart from this, authorities have undertaken the renovation of 92 roads, the construction of 30 bridges, and the installation of 800 multilingual signage in the city. Temporary hospitals equipped with surgical and diagnostic facilities are also set up.
Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot is a cutting-edge AI tool designed to provide real-time guidance and updates to devotees attending the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. It will act as a digital companion for the millions of devotees. Some of its key features include multilingual support, interactive engagement, personal navigation, and cultural insights. It can be accessed through the official Maha Kumbh 2025 mobile app or via WhatsApp.
During the festival’s six weeks, devotees will take part in elaborate rituals, prayers, and religious processions with elephants, horse-back parades, and chariots. Some of the key dates include January 13 – the start of Maha Kumbh which coincides with the full Moon, January 29 – the ‘Mauni Amavasya’ when celestial alignments are said to be ideal for purifying waters, and February 26 – when the celebrations end with a holy bath in the sacred waters.
PM Modi, Other Leaders on Maha Kumbh 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended his wishes to all pilgrims and tourists as the Maha Kumbh Mela began. “A very special day for crores of people who cherish Bharatiya values and culture! Maha Kumbh 2025 commences in Prayagraj, bringing together countless people in a sacred confluence of faith, devotion and culture. The Maha Kumbh embodies India’s timeless spiritual heritage and celebrates faith and harmony,” he wrote on X. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared pictures for the Maha Kumbh mela on X. “Where cultures are confluent, there is also a confluence of faith and harmony. Giving the message of ‘unity in diversity’, Maha Kumbh-2025, Prayagraj is providing an encounter with Sanatan along with the welfare of humanity,” he said.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said, “A momentous occasion for millions of devotees as the Maha Kumbh 2025 begins in Prayagraj, symbolizing the rich spiritual heritage and unity of our nation. This sacred gathering celebrates devotion, harmony, and timeless traditions. Wishing all pilgrims and visitors a peaceful and fulfilling experience.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the Prayagraj’s Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2019 contributed Rs 1.2 lakh crore to the state’s economy. The “ardh” or half Kumbh Mela in 2019, had attracted about 24 crore pilgrims.
“With an expected turnout of 40 crore devotees this year, the Maha Kumbh is projected to generate up to Rs 2 lakh crore in economic growth,” he told a news channel recently.
CM Adityanath described the Maha Kumbh as the world’s largest temporary city, which may accommodate between 50 lakh to one crore devotees at any given time.
CM Adityanath explained the event as a confluence of cultures and a message of unity in diversity. “The world’s largest spiritual and cultural gathering ‘Maha Kumbh’ is starting today in the holy city of Prayagraj. All the revered saints, Kalpvasis, and devotees who have come to experience unity in diversity, to meditate, and take a holy bath at the confluence of faith and modernity are heartily welcomed,” he said in a post on X.
The Maha Kumbh 2025 has already seen nearly 10 million devotees take a holy dip in the Sangam so far on the first day. The event, which began on January 13, will continue until February 26. Key bathing dates include January 14 (Makar Sankranti – First Shahi Snan), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26 (from sources)
Image Source : Collected
