The Mahakumbh Mela began this morning in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where over 50 lakh devotees took their first holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers Mahakumbh Mela in 2025. Mahakumbh Mela 2025 Held four times in 12 years, the Kumbh Mela rotates between four holy places in India – Haridwar (Uttarakhand) on the banks of the Ganges, Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) along the Shipra, Nashik (Maharashtra) on the Godavari river and Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati Mahakumbh Mela in 2025. Each event coincides with specific astrological positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter and marks the holiest time in Hinduism. The Mahakumbh Mela began in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where around 60 lakh devotees took their first holy dip. Traffic police authorities have taken extensive measures and implemented a detailed plan to ensure the movement and safety of devotees arriving at the Mahakumbh Mela. Mahakumbh 2025: CIAT says, ‘If 400 million visitors spend Rs 5,000, Uttar Pradesh can earn Rs 2 lakh crore in 45 days.’ Mahakumbh Mela in 2025 Over 50 lakh devotees took their first holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers during Mahakumbh 2025, which began this morning in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. The event will continue till February 26. Known as the world’s largest human gathering, the ancient event is expected to attract over 400 million people to Prayagraj – more than the combined population of the United States and Russia.
The Mahakumbh 2025 fair is held once every 12 years, and this year, it will be held over an area of about 4,000 hectares. Mahakumbh 2025 to bring a huge boost to Uttar Pradesh’s economy – here’s how The Mahakumbh 2025 is expected to bring a huge economic boost to Uttar Pradesh Mahakumbh Mela in 2025. The thick blanket of fog could not blur their vision, the cold wind could not dampen their energy levels and the bone-chilling waters of the Ganges River at the confluence could not dampen their excitement, as lakhs of devotees from all walks of life took a holy dip on the occasion of ‘Paush Purnima’ on Monday (January 13, 2025). According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the state is likely to earn over Rs 2 lakh crore from the 45-day mega event. For example, if each of the 400 million visitors spends an average of Rs 5,000, the total economic impact could reach this figure Mahakumbh Mela in 2025. CAIT said that accommodation and tourism are expected to contribute the most to this economic growth, with local hotels, guesthouses, and temporary accommodation earning Rs 40,000 crore Mahakumbh Mela in 2025. “The Kumbh Mela will witness large-scale economic and commercial activity. As per an estimate, if the average expenditure per person during the religious pilgrimage is Rs 5,000, the total expenditure will be over Rs 2 lakh crore. This includes the cost of hotels, guesthouses, temporary accommodation, food, religious items, healthcare and other services,” Mahakumbh Mela in 2025 said CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal. The food and beverage sector, including packaged food, water, biscuits, juices, and snacks, is estimated to contribute Rs 20,000 crore to the overall trade. It also said that religious items and offerings such as oil, lamps, Ganga water, idols, incense sticks, and religious books are another major area of economic activity, contributing an estimated Rs 20,000 crore. Transport and logistics, including local and inter-state services, freight, and taxis, are also expected to account for Rs 10,000 crore Mahakumbh Mela in 2025. 2000,000,000,000,000,000: Revenue potential from Uttar Pradesh’s Mahakumbh Mela, known as the world’s largest human gathering. Over 400 million people are expected to visit Prayagraj for the fair Mahakumbh Mela in 2025. The Mahakumbh Mela began in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, this morning. Over 50 lakh people took their first holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers Mahakumbh Mela in 2025. Known as the world’s largest human gathering, the thousand-year-old Kumbh Mela is expected to attract over 400 million people, more than the combined population of the United States and Russia. Devotees taking holy dip at the Sangam at the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela
Mahakumbh Mela in 2025
The event, which is being held after 12 years, is spread over an area of about 4,000 hectares and will continue till February 26. It is expected to contribute immensely to the economic growth of India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, where a budget of around Rs 7,000 crore has been allocated for the 45-day mega event. Mahakumbh likely to generate revenue of Rs 2 lakh crore The 2025 Mahakumbh is likely to generate revenue of Rs 2 lakh crore for Uttar Pradesh. According to estimates, the event could generate revenue of up to Rs 2 lakh crore if 400 million visitors spend an average of Rs 5,000. This year, the following dates are expected to witness the highest number of people – January 14, which is Makar Sankranti (first royal bath), January 29 – Mauni Amavasya (second royal bath), February 3 – Vasant Panchami (third royal bath), February 12 – Maghi Purnima and February 26 – Mahashivaratri (final bath). Preparations for Mahakumbh Mela This year, the Mahakumbh Mela has around 1,50,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, 1,45,000 toilets, and 99 parking lots to accommodate visitors. More than 40,000 police personnel are on duty to provide security and help control the crowd. Artificial Intelligence (AI)–powered surveillance cameras have also been installed to ensure constant monitoring. Indian Railways has added around 100 trains to Prayagraj in addition to regular services, taking the total number of trains carrying festival visitors to 3,300 Mahakumbh Mela in 2025. According to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, over 15 lakh foreign tourists are expected to visit the Maha Kumbh. Citing industry estimates, news agency IANS reported that the average expenditure per person could be up to Rs 10,000 and the total economic impact could reach Rs 4 lakh crore. This is expected to result in an increase of over 1 percent in both nominal and real terms. A drone shot of the confluence of the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela
Mahakumbh Mela in 2025
Mahakumbh Mela in 2025 Photo credit: PTI Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the Ardha Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj in 2019 contributed Rs 1.2 lakh crore to the state’s economy. Around 24 crore pilgrims visited the “Ardha” which is half of the 2019 Kumbh Mela. “With 400 million devotees gathering this year, the Mahakumbh is expected to generate an economic growth of up to Rs 2 lakh crore,” he told a news channel recently. Mr Adityanath, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has described Mahakumbh as the world’s largest temporary city, where anywhere from 50 lakh to 100 million devotees can gather at any one time. The traders’ body also said that religious items and offerings like oil, lamps, Ganga water, idols, incense sticks, and religious books are another major area of economic activity, contributing an estimated Rs 20,000 crore. Transport and logistics, including local and inter-state services, freight, and taxis, are expected to contribute Rs 10,000 crore, while tourism services, such as tour guides, travel packages, and related activities, are expected to contribute another Rs 10,000 crore, CAIT said. Temporary medical camps, Ayurvedic products, and medicines are expected to generate Rs 3,000 crore, while sectors like e-tickets, digital payments, Wi-Fi services, and mobile charging stations are expected to generate Rs 1,000 crore. Entertainment and media, including advertising and promotional activities, are expected to generate Rs 10,000 crore, CAIT said.
