Mahakumbh 2025 | Everything you need to know about THIS grand 45-day event in Prayagraj

Uttar Pradesh is gearing up to host the grand Mahakumbh Mela, scheduled from January 13 to February 26, 2025, in Prayagraj. Held every 12 years, this event is the “world’s largest religious congregation”, drawing millions of devotees and international tourists. This year, the Mahakumbh is expected to welcome over 40 crore visitors, requiring extensive preparations by the government to ensure seamless arrangements.

With an event of such magnitude, significant efforts are underway to manage transportation, facilitate pilgrims, and more. Read on for all the key details about Mahakumbh 2025.

1. AI-driven crowd management

The Mahakumbh 2025 will implement cutting-edge technologies for crowd control and monitoring. AI cameras, RFID wristbands, and GPS tracking will provide accurate real-time headcount data. To ensure reliability, the system is being thoroughly tested before deployment.

Approximately 1,800 CCTV cameras will monitor the city and fairgrounds, with 720 cameras dedicated to managing over 100 parking areas. These will be supervised from an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), ensuring efficient movement and safety of pilgrims while avoiding overcrowding.

2. Expanded bus services from Lucknow and other locations

To cater to the massive influx of pilgrims, the UPSRTC will deploy over 7,000 buses, including 400 specifically for the Lucknow region. These buses will operate from January 13 to March 27, ensuring smooth transportation between key cities like Kanpur, Lucknow, and Prayagraj. This extensive network is designed to minimize travel hassles and provide a seamless experience for devotees traveling to the event.

3. UP government eyes for 4 Guinness records

The Uttar Pradesh government will attempt to set four Guinness World Records during the Mahakumbh. These include organizing the largest synchronised cleaning drive, hosting a record-breaking e-vehicle parade, creating the most handprint paintings in 8 hours, and conducting the largest river-cleaning campaign.

A dedicated team will work closely with Guinness officials to ensure strict adherence to their guidelines, making these monumental achievements a reality.

4. Arrangements for helicopter and cruise tours for the first time

For the first time, helicopter rides and river cruises will be available during Mahakumbh. Visitors can enjoy aerial views of the sprawling Mela grounds or embark on scenic Ganga river cruises. Additionally, guided tours to nearby spiritual destinations like Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, and Varanasi have been curated.

5. Several tolls to be made ‘Toll-Free’ in the state

To ease travel for visitors, the government has announced a 45-day toll-free period on major highways leading to Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh. These include: the Handia Toll Plaza on the Varanasi road, Andhiyari toll plaza on the Lucknow highway, Umapur toll plaza on the Chitrakoot road, Ganne toll plaza on the Rewa Highway, Mungeri Toll Plaza on the Mirzapur Road, Mauaima Toll Plaza on Ayodhya highway.

According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the toll waiver will only be applicable to private vehicles.

6. Special trains for devotees

The IRCTC will introduce exclusive ‘Mahakumbh Special’ trains, including the Bharat Gaurav Tourist train covering Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya. Running from January 16 to January 24, this package offers an 8-night/9-day spiritual tour with stops at key stations across South India and North India.

Other special trains from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh will also operate throughout the festival, catering to the massive footfall expected during the event.

7. Mini AIIMS

To accommodate the large number of visitors expected at the Maha Kumbh 2025 event, the government is setting up a comprehensive healthcare facility. For the first time, a Mini AIIMS will operate at the event in Prayagraj. The AIIMS administration in Raebareli is preparing a 10-bed temporary ICU, OPD, diagnostic facilities, and patient wards.

Devotees will have access to ICU facilities, with land for medical services already provided by the fair authority. A team of 50 medical personnel will be deployed to offer healthcare at the fairgrounds, with essential medical equipment such as ventilators and monitors arriving in January. Specialist doctors will be available, and a temporary lab for diagnostic tests, including blood tests and blood pressure monitoring, will be set up.

8. 50,000 to be cops deployed, 7-tier security for safety

The UP Police, in collaboration with state departments, is preparing for Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, which is expected to draw 40 crore devotees. A robust 7-tier security system has been designed to manage six key dates, including three royal bathing occasions that attract millions of pilgrims.

Approximately 50,000 personnel, comprising 37,000 civil police, 40 PAC companies, and 100 CAPF companies, will be deployed for law and order, traffic management, and assisting devotees. The arrangements aim to ensure seamless access to rituals and sightseeing, enabling devotees to participate in religious activities with ease and comfort.

9. Special ‘Vidya Kumbh’ schools to educate Mahakumbh workers’ children

The State Basic Education Department has introduced five ‘Vidya Kumbh’ primary schools in Prayagraj to support the children of over 15,000 sanitation workers engaged in the Mahakumbh preparations. These schools are equipped with modern amenities to create an engaging learning environment.

Students receive holistic education through digital classrooms, interactive kits, and playful teaching methods. Essentials like books, stationery, uniforms, sweaters, and educational materials are provided under the ‘Umang Kit’ initiative. Aimed at offering free and quality education to the children of working families, the program has already registered 500 students, with a target to reach 1,000 in the coming weeks.