The 2025 Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela, also referred to as the 2025 Prayag Kumbh Mela, is the ongoing iteration of the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage festival celebrating a full orbital revolution of Jupiter around the Sun. It is scheduled from 13 January to 26 February 2025, at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the world’s largest gathering, with an estimated 400 to 450 million visitors.[1] This event marks the completion of a 12-Kumbh Mela cycle and is officially termed a Maha Kumbh Mela, spanning 45 days.[2]
The Kumbh Mela has been organized since many years with its commencement date unknown. As per astronomical calculations, the 2025 edition is unique since the constellation alignment seen is witnessed once in 144 years.[3][1][4][5] The site of each Kumbh Mela is decided by the astrological alignment of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon (Surya), and Moon.[6][7] The Kumbh Mela has been recognised as part of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.[8]
Significance
The Maha Kumbh Mela symbolises the victory of Gods over demons.[9] In 2025, the event started on 13 January and is expected to conclude on 26 February.[10][11]
The Maha Kumbh Mela is the world's largest peaceful congregation of people.[4] This gathering contains millions of devotees immersing themselves in the Ganges, Yamuna, and the Saraswati, waters of which are considered holy by the Hindus, symbolising a purification of the soul and a path to attaining Moksha or liberation.[12]
Amrit Snan
Amrit Snan at Kumbh Mela
Amrit Snan (transl.Nectar Baths) or Shahi Snan are being held as follows:[13][14]
Concludes the Maha Kumbh Mela; another important bathing day
Financials
The budget for the event was about ₹63.82 billion (US$740million) and it is estimated that the event will generate a revenue of more than ₹2 trillion (US$23billion).[15][16]
Night time view of the tents in the Kumbh Mela area
The Government of Uttar Pradesh have set up a temporary city covering 4,000 hectares (40km2) to accommodate the pilgrims attending the event. To expand the available land, four dredging machines were used to reclaim 26 additional hectares (0.26km2), significantly increasing the capacity to three times more than in 2019 Prayag Ardh Kumbh Mela. Prayagraj is also embracing smart city technologies to enhance urban living. The total length of the ghats is 12km (7.5mi), and the surrounding area has been divided into 25 sectors. About 150,000 tents were established to provide accommodation. Nearly 83 projects were completed at a cost of ₹14.28 billion (US$160million) for the event.[17]
Transport
Parking facilities cover an area of 1,850 hectares (18.5km2). The total road length within the area was increased over 450km (280mi) to improve accessibility.[1]Indian Railways has announced an increase in the number of coaches in key trains, such as the Prayagraj Express and Lucknow Mail, to accommodate the expected influx of pilgrims during the Mahakumbh 2025.[18]Indian Railways operated special trains to various railway stations in the area. About 360 trains including 190 special trains, 110 regular trains and 60 MEMU trains to cater to the pilgrims on the day of Mauni Amavasya on 29 January 2025.[19][20]
Health and sanitation
The Prayagraj Mela Committee set up 150,000 toilets and urinals in the Maha Kumbh area, and a monitoring system was launched to track sanitation levels in toilets. About 10,000 sanitation workers were engaged for cleaning activity.[21] One cleaner was allocated for every ten toilets with a supervisor monitoring a batch of ten such personnel.[22] The Uttar Pradesh State Government deputed 500 dedicated Ganga Praharis for cleaning the river during Maha Kumbh.[23] Health camps and medical support: Mobile health units and emergency medical services are deployed to handle any health emergencies.
The state government allocated ₹1.31 billion (US$15million) for the fire department. The Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Department deployed 351 firefighting vehicles and 2000+ personnel across 50+ fire stations and 20 fire posts.[1][25][26] It also deployed four articulating water towers to enhance fire fighting capabilities. These towers can extend 30m (98ft) horizontally, and 35m (115ft) vertically, and are designed to handle large fire events. Video recorders and thermal imaging cameras were deployed for real-time monitoring and precise firefighting.
The organising committee set up ten lost and found centres across various sectors to reunite missing individuals with their families. These centres use digital registration to keep track of people, with details on missing individuals displayed at all centres. Regular audio announcements, and messages across social media platforms were used to spread information on lost individuals.[27] A mobile application was launched which provided information to the pilgrims.[28] Artificial intelligence tools and chatbots were used to assist tourists and pilgrims.[29]
On 29 January 2025, a stampede at the festival grounds left at least 30 people dead and 60 others injured.[30] A second crush in the following hours killed seven people including a three-year-old child.[31] The official death toll count has been disputed, with reports suggesting the actual number of fatalities being higher than the government's figure. A report by the Indian media watchdog Newslaundry based on hospital and police records claims the death toll to be at least 79.[32] These discrepancies have led to criticism of the government's handling of the incident and calls for greater transparency.[33]
A delegation of 118 diplomats, including the Heads of Mission, their spouses, and diplomats from 77 countries, will visit the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj on 1 February 2025.[38]
Arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
On 5 February 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Prayagraj to participate in the ongoing Kumbh Mela. As part of the sacred rituals, he took a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam. His visit was marked by grand ceremonial events and prayers,[39][40] and a boat ride to the Sangam with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.[41] The visit was widely covered by media outlets.[39][40][41] Since Modi arrived after the 29 January stampede that killed dozens, opposition parties have blamed the tragedy on mismanagement and accused his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hiding the real death toll.[42]
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