Devotees perform the Ganga Aarti during the Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.

The Maha Kumbh Mela: A global village of the timeless and emergent

The ‘Global Village’ of Mahakumbh draws attention from a wide spectrum of humanity. It is a living testament to Hinduism’s timeless beliefs and practices while also being a sandbox for newer and emergent facets.
This year brings millions of people to the Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj. The Mela (fair) offers a comprehensive view of Hindu beliefs and practices, providing visual and experiential insights.
The Triveni Sangam delta at Prayagraj, the confluence of the River Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, draws a wide spectrum of humanity, from the Yogis from the Himalayas, to devout pilgrims, curious travellers and tourists, and people from all walks of life, each with their own objective. 

The 45-day festival is hosted by an ecosystem of administrators, ground support, volunteers, businesspeople and entrepreneurs. Such a scale also amasses attention from educators, researchers and innovators with a multi-disciplinary lens.
The Kumbh Mela is a commemoration held every four years in each of the four cities, Haridwar, Nasik, Ujjain and Prayag, on a rotational basis.
Historically, many foreign travellers have written detailed accounts of their visits, getting the Kumbh Mela widespread global recognition. Hieun Tsang’s Chronicles and Journals of Fanny Parkes (Wanderings of a Pilgrim) have enamoured global audiences across the ages.
The scale of the Mela has always been immense and is growing with each decade. 
The estimated number of visitors this year is likely to exceed 400 million throughout the duration of the Mela. Ten thousand hectares of Mela area have been declared a temporary district with 10 zones and 25 sectors. Setting up a temporary city of this scale is a massive administrative challenge, mainly when its location is on the floodplains of the Ganges.
Despite the limited time, various government departments and agencies have worked around the clock to provide infrastructure and ready amenities before the first snan (holy dip) date.
Massive budget allocations and various department personnel have been deployed to manage security, traffic, health, sanitation and other arrangements.
The Uttar Pradesh Government has also made a substantial technological push with its Digi Kumbh initiative.
AI-powered CCTV systems, using facial and vehicle number plate recognition, have been designed to provide surveillance and monitor crowd movement, traffic flow and parking management.
Further, underwater drones with advanced imaging capabilities have also been deployed to provide round-the-clock aquatic surveillance. An AI-powered chatbot has also been launched to support over 11 languages and enable easy navigation.
In independent India, the Kumbh Mela has been hosted since 1954. The effort involved in successful set-up and operations on such a large scale has gained attention from across the world and attracted various forms of research beyond just the anthropological perspective.
Leading global and Indian academic establishments such as Harvard University, London School of Economics (LSE), IIM Bangalore and MIT have conducted various comprehensive studies to learn from the scale of operations and draw insights from such a mega event. Through a multi-disciplinary lens, these studies focus on infrastructure, public management, socio-cultural and logistical complexities, AI, and other forms of technology.
Such a concentrated flow of massive footfall has also meant immense potential for brand visibility and marketing opportunities for businesses. Alongside large brands, thriving local enterprises are tapping into every opportunity to serve all segments of the massive crowds.
Hindu astronomy, astrology, built heritage, ecology, and local food - each layer has a rich presence in the Kumbh Mela.
From pilgrims, devotees, and travellers to market gurus, academicians and research enthusiasts, there’s something meaningful and compelling for everyone to witness and partake in at the Maha Kumbh Mela!
About the writer: Kavita is an avid traveller who collects stories from everyone and everywhere, completely enamoured by the rich tapestry of Indian history and culture. Through Dus Dishaa she brings alive local charms in this global village through immersive, specially curated experiences. In her regular days, she is a management professor with more than 20 years of experience.
Dr Kavita Gupta, Founder, Dus Dishaa

 (Latest Update January 27, 2025)