The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, began at Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj this morning, with more than 50 lakh people taking the first holy dip at Sangam, the point where the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers meet.

 The Kumbh Mela, often hailed as the world’s largest gathering of people, is set to draw over 400 million devotees to Prayagraj for the 2025 Maha Kumbh, surpassing the populations of the United States and Russia combined. This monumental event, held once every 12 years, spans an impressive 4,000 hectares and is scheduled to run until February 26, 2025.

In addition to its spiritual significance, the Maha Kumbh is expected to be a major economic catalyst for Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. The state has allocated a budget of ₹7,000 crore for the 45-day festival, which is projected to fuel an economic surge of up to ₹2 lakh crore. This estimate is based on the assumption that each of the 40 crore visitors will spend an average of ₹5,000 during their stay. However, industry forecasts suggest that individual spending could reach ₹10,000, potentially increasing the total economic impact to ₹4 lakh crore. This event is expected to boost both nominal and real GDP by over 1%.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the economic benefits of past Kumbh events, pointing out that the 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela contributed ₹1.2 lakh crore to the state’s economy. He added that with an anticipated 40 crore pilgrims this year, the Maha Kumbh could generate substantial growth. Adityanath, a prominent member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also noted that the Maha Kumbh would likely become the world’s largest temporary city, capable of hosting between 5 to 10 million people at any given time.

According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), several sectors are poised to see significant growth during the event. The food and beverage industry alone, which includes packaged goods, meals, and beverages, is expected to contribute ₹20,000 crore. Religious items, such as offerings, idols, and spiritual literature, are forecast to generate another ₹20,000 crore.

Transportation and logistics, including both local and interstate services, are set to bring in ₹10,000 crore, while tourism-related services, such as travel packages and guides, could add another ₹10,000 crore. Other sectors like temporary medical camps, Ayurvedic products, and digital services such as e-ticketing and Wi-Fi are anticipated to generate an additional ₹15,000 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the start of Maha Kumbh as a ‘very special day’ for crores of people who ‘cherish Indian values and culture’.

‘I am happy to see Prayagraj abuzz with countless people coming there, taking the holy dip and seeking blessings. Wishing all pilgrims and tourists a wonderful stay,’ he said.

Mr Adityanath also described it as a confluence of cultures and a message of unity in diversity.

‘The world’s largest spiritual and cultural gathering ‘Mahakumbh’ is starting from 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.

Held once every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated at four sacred locations across India: Haridwar in Uttarakhand along the Ganges, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh by the Shipra, Nashik in Maharashtra on the banks of the Godavari, and Prayagraj, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers converge. The event rotates between these sites, with each occurrence timed according to specific astrological alignments of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter, making it one of the most sacred and spiritually significant festivals in Hinduism.

 This year, the following dates are expected to draw the most number of crowd – 

 This year’s Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is set to accommodate millions of pilgrims, with preparations including around 150,000 tents to house visitors, 3,000 kitchens, 145,000 restrooms, and 99 parking lots. The massive scale of the event is matched by a robust security infrastructure, with over 40,000 police officers deployed to maintain order and manage the enormous crowds. To enhance safety, surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) are installed for continuous monitoring of the site.

The transportation network has also been ramped up, with Indian Railways adding nearly 100 extra trains, increasing the total to 3,300 trips, in addition to regular services heading to Prayagraj. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, expects the event to attract over 1.5 million international visitors this year.

A central feature of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is the sacred ritual of Shahi Snans, where lakhs of devotees immerse themselves in the holy rivers, believing that these purifying baths cleanse their souls and wash away their sins. This iconic practice draws pilgrims from all corners of the world, reinforcing the Kumbh Mela’s significance as a spiritual and cultural phenomenon. For more legal information connect with Vakilsearch.