The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 has officially commenced in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, marking one of the largest gatherings of humanity in the world. Here’s a detailed overview:
Key Highlights
- Historic Gathering:
- The event, held every 12 years, is expected to attract 40 crore visitors, surpassing the combined population of the US and Russia.
- Over 50 lakh devotees took the first holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers, on the opening day.
- Massive Scale:
- Spread over 4,000 hectares.
- Budget allocation: ₹7,000 crore by the Uttar Pradesh government.
- The event will run until February 26, 2025.
Economic Impact
- Projected Revenue:
- ₹2 lakh crore estimated economic growth if each visitor spends an average of ₹5,000.
- With potential higher spending averaging ₹10,000 per visitor, the total economic impact could reach ₹4 lakh crore.
- Expected to boost both nominal and real GDP of Uttar Pradesh by over 1%.
- Sectoral Contributions:
- Food and Beverage: Estimated ₹20,000 crore from packaged foods, water, biscuits, juices, and meals.
- Religious Items and Offerings: Another ₹20,000 crore from oil, lamps, idols, incense sticks, Ganga water, and religious books.
- Comparison with Ardh Kumbh 2019:
- The 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela contributed ₹1.2 lakh crore to Uttar Pradesh’s economy with 24 crore pilgrims.
- The Maha Kumbh 2025 is expected to surpass those numbers significantly with almost double the visitors.
Infrastructure and Logistics
- Temporary City: Described as the world’s largest temporary city, capable of accommodating 50 lakh to 1 crore people at any given time.
- Enhanced facilities and management have been implemented to cater to the record-breaking crowd, ensuring smooth operations for pilgrims and tourists.
Significance
- The Maha Kumbh Mela is not only a monumental religious and cultural event but also a substantial economic driver for Uttar Pradesh. The combination of spiritual tourism and large-scale trade activities highlights its transformative potential for the state’s economy.