The 45-day Mahakumbh Mela (formerly Purna Kumbh), commenced in Prayagraj (formerly Ahmedabad) before dawn on Monday, with thousands of worshippers undertaking ‘Shahi Snan’ (a dip in the Ganga waters) at Triveni Sangam.
Approximately one million devotees are expected to converge on the bank on the first day, ahead of Makar Sankranti. The Uttar Pradesh government forecasts 40 crore visitors between January 13 and February 26, the biggest religious gathering in the world.
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is more than just a religious gathering. It is bringing together spirituality and economic prosperity on a monumental scale. It is set to become a financial powerhouse for Uttar Pradesh.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and state officials project that the Mahakumbh could generate ₹25,000 crore in government revenues and result in a 2 lakh-crore economic spinoff. The event is expected to benefit local self-help groups, artisans, hoteliers, homestay owners, restaurant operators, and food vendors, with major brands such as Dabur, Mother Dairy, and ITC anticipated to spend 3,000 crore.
The event is expected to be much bigger than 2019 when 120 to 150 million pilgrims visited the Mela. In 2019, the Kumbh Mela generated Rs 1.2 lakh crore in revenue, which is expected to grow multifold this time.
The Uttar Pradesh government has already invested Rs 5,500 crore to upgrade the city's infrastructure, right from roads and bridges to sanitation and water supply.
The travel and hospitality industries are also gearing up for a massive boost. Indian Railways will operate 13,000 trains over 50 days.
The Prayagraj Airport will see 117 weekly departures with new connections to 23 cities. Major airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Alliance Air have added new routes, especially for this event. About
7,000 rural buses and 350 shuttle buses have been arranged by the administration to ferry the pilgrims.
The administration has made a wide range of arrangements for providing smooth stays. The UP Tourism Department has set up 2,000 cottage-style tents, ranging from Rs 1,500 going up to Rs 35,000 per night.
For those seeking luxury accommodation, the options are abundant, like Royal Orchid Hotel's Dome City, offering wooden cottages priced in the range of Rs 30,000 to 35,000 per night.
The event is expected to create numerous job opportunities. The local businesses are also getting ready to make the most out of the mega event.