Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: World's Largest Religious Gathering Draws Millions to Prayagraj

The 45-day event, held every 144 years, features spiritual rituals, cultural spectacles, and advanced crowd management technologies.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 began on January 13 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and will continue until February 26, with an estimated 450 million attendees expected over 45 days.
Key rituals include the Shahi Snan (royal bath) at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, with over 35 million devotees participating on Makar Sankranti alone.
The event showcases a blend of spirituality and modernity, featuring unique saints like 'IITian Baba' and 'Muscular Baba,' and international visitors praising its message of unity.
Authorities have implemented AI-powered crowd management tools, facial recognition, and RFID wristbands to ensure safety and trace missing persons in the vast gathering.
The Mela is a significant economic driver, with a ₹7,500 crore budget and ₹2 lakh crore in expected revenue, attracting major brands for marketing and cultural engagement.