Apart from being a spiritual event, Maha Kumbh is also boosting the local economy
Delhi Delhi: Hindu devotees in India and across the world are eagerly awaiting the once-in-a-twelve-years Maha Kumbh, scheduled to begin in the ancient city of Prayagraj from January 13, 2025.Over 40 crore people are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh, held once every 12 years.The Uttar Pradesh government is making elaborate preparations to ensure that the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj is a grand, safe and spiritually enriching event.The Maha Kumbh is also giving a boost to local business, as demand for Maha Kumbh-themed products such as diaries, calendars, jute bags and stationery has surged.
According to a statement from the Culture Ministry, sales of such items have increased by up to 25 per cent due to careful branding.The 45-day festival, scheduled to run from January 13 to February 26, will showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions.Host Uttar Pradesh has set up a temporary city-like setup. Maha Kumbh Nagar is being transformed into a temporary city with thousands of tents and shelters, including super deluxe accommodations like IRCTC’s ‘Mahakumbh Gram’ luxury tent city, which will provide deluxe tents and villas with modern amenities.
According to a government statement, renovation of 92 roads and beautification of 17 major roads is nearing completion. Construction of 30 pontoon bridges is underway; 28 are already operational. A total of 800 multilingual signages (Hindi, English and other languages) are being installed to guide visitors. Over 400 have been completed, and the rest will be ready by December 31. Special provisions have been made for international visitors with multilingual signage and cultural programmes showcasing India’s diversity. Through these extensive efforts, Maha Kumbh 2025 aims to become not just a religious gathering but a global celebration of spirituality, culture, security, sustainability and modernity.
Over 2,69,000 chequered plates have been laid for the pathways. Mobile toilets and robust waste management systems will ensure cleanliness. Technology is being used to assist pilgrims. Among other things, an AI-powered chatbot with multilingual capability has been put in place to assist pilgrims and visitors. This is a first-of-its-kind innovation with technology at its core. The AI chatbot will answer Kumbh-related queries in various languages.
