The festival, celebrated every 12 years, is anticipated to attract around 400 million participants over its six-week duration, making it the world's largest religious gathering. To accommodate the massive influx, authorities have established a vast tent city spanning approximately 4,000 hectares, equipped with essential amenities including 160,000 tents, 150,000 portable toilets, and 450,000 new electricity connections.
Security measures are extensive, with over 40,000 police personnel deployed to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Advanced technologies such as AI-powered surveillance systems and drones are being utilized for crowd management and monitoring. Additionally, more than 2,500 surveillance cameras have been installed to maintain vigilance throughout the event.
The Indian Railways has played a significant role in facilitating transportation for the influx of devotees. Over the past three years, an investment of approximately ₹5,000 crore has been made to enhance infrastructure, including the doubling of railway lines, construction of new platforms, and the addition of a new bridge over the Ganges. To manage the surge in pilgrims, more than 300 trains, including 80 special services, are operating to and from Prayagraj.
The festival's commencement was marked by the Paush Purnima, the first bathing festival, which began on January 13. The subsequent significant bathing day, known as the 'Amrit Snan,' is scheduled for January 14, coinciding with Makar Sankranti. On this day, all Akharas (religious orders) will partake in ceremonial baths in a predetermined sequence.
In addition to the spiritual aspects, the festival showcases India's rich cultural heritage. A 'Kalagram' (art village) has been inaugurated, featuring an entrance designed in the shape of the 12 Jyotirlingas, measuring 635 feet in width and 54 feet in height. This cultural hub aims to provide visitors with an immersive experience of traditional Indian art and craftsmanship.
The Maha Kumbh Mela also serves as a platform for promoting social messages. A vegetarian awareness rally was organized by followers of Baba Jai Gurudev, encouraging attendees to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. Participants chanted slogans advocating for vegetarianism and raised awareness about its benefits.
Notably, the event has attracted international attention, with over 1.5 million foreign tourists expected to attend. Among the distinguished visitors is Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who visited the ashram of spiritual leader Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj in Prayagraj.
The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented several measures to enhance the experience for pilgrims. Over 50,000 QR codes have been installed on electricity poles across the Mela area to assist visitors in identifying their locations and to facilitate the registration of electricity-related complaints. Additionally, helicopter rides over the festival grounds have been made more affordable, with fares reduced from ₹3,000 to ₹1,296 per person, offering devotees a unique aerial perspective of the event.
The Maha Kumbh Mela holds profound significance in Hinduism, symbolizing the quest for spiritual purification and enlightenment. The festival's origins are rooted in ancient Hindu mythology, particularly the legend of the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), where the gods and demons vied for the elixir of immortality (amrit). It is believed that drops of this elixir fell at four locations, including Prayagraj, sanctifying the sites and leading to the tradition of the Kumbh Mela.