The six-week Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival, is set to begin on January 13 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. This sacred Hindu event is expected to be the world’s largest gathering, emphasizing religion, spirituality, tourism, and crowd management.
Over 400 million people are anticipated to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, believed to absolve sins and bring salvation. The festival, rooted in Hindu tradition, is held every 12 years and attracts the largest gatherings during the “maha” (great) Kumbh.
A sprawling 4,000 hectares of land has been converted into a temporary city with 150,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, 145,000 restrooms, and 99 carparks. Authorities have installed up to 450,000 new electricity connections and Indian Railways has introduced 98 special trains to transport visitors.
Around 40,000 police personnel and cyber-crime experts, equipped with AI-powered surveillance, will ensure the safety of pilgrims. Emergency response capabilities include road, river, and air ambulances. The state government has allocated 64 billion rupees ($1 billion) for the event.
The festival is seen as an opportunity for India’s authorities to demonstrate their organizational skills and uphold the ancient festival’s sanctity. It also aims to strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) efforts to glorify India’s religious and cultural heritage.