Mahakumbh 2025 Roundup | 7 major updates on the "world's largest spiritual gathering"

With Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj just around the corner, preparations are in full swing as the city gears up for the grand event. The UP Government and local administration are working tirelessly to finalise transport arrangements, security measures and other key logistics. Simultaneously, public and private organisations nationwide are coordinating efforts to manage the anticipated influx of visitors.

The 45-day festival begins on Monday, January 13, coinciding with the sacred day of Paush Purnima. The first two days, marked by auspicious bathing rituals, are expected to draw massive crowds of domestic and international pilgrims.

From transport upgrades to security enhancements, several significant developments are shaping up for this iconic spiritual gathering. Read on for all the essential updates on Mahakumbh 2025:

The Mahakumbh Mela, set to start from January 13, 2025 in Prayagraj, is poised to attract over 40 crore visitors during its 45-day duration. Renowned as a global center of faith, this iconic event represents a harmonious blend of spirituality and tradition.

The event has garnered significant international media attention, with applications pouring in from media organisations across 82 countries. ADM Mela, Vivek Kumar Chaturvedi, highlighted that a notable number of media groups from European nations are expected to attend the event. Additionally, media houses from the United States, Australia, Gulf nations and African countries have confirmed their participation.

Most international media teams are expected to arrive by January 11 or 12, ready to capture the spiritual grandeur and innovative arrangements that define this extraordinary gathering.

Pilgrims from across India are preparing to converge at the holy Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, where the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet. A ritual bath at this sacred confluence is regarded as deeply auspicious and is believed to bestow spiritual blessings.

The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 will commence with Paush Purnima on January 13 and include several significant Shahi Snan (royal bath) dates, drawing millions of devotees to partake in these spiritual rituals.

Here is the schedule for the major bathing dates at Mahakumbh 2025:

• Paush Purnima - January 13, Monday

• Makar Sankranti (First Shahi Snan) - January 14, Tuesday

• Mauni Amavasya (Second Shahi Snan) - January 29, Wednesday

• Basant Panchami (Third Shahi Snan) - February 3, Monday

• Maghi Purnima - February 12, Wednesday

• Maha Shivratri (Closing Bath) - February 26, Wednesday

Indian Railways has now announced the introduction of over 13,000 trains which will ply across India, providing access to Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh duration. The trains, including 3,000 special trains and 10,000 regular trains will operate during the 50-day event to accommodate an expected 40 crore pilgrims from across India and the world.

As part of its preparations, IRCTC West Zone recently launched the Bharat Gaurav Train, connecting Pune in Maharashtra to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

Book tickets by scanning QR codes on the jackets of Railways staff

To ensure a seamless experience for attendees, Indian Railways has introduced a toll-free helpline, a dedicated website, and the Mahakumbh Mela App. Pilgrims can also use QR codes on the railway staff's jackets for ticket bookings. Scanning the code redirects users to the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) app, where they can book tickets for stations within 50-100 km or long-distance journeys up to 15 days in advance.

Amid the ongoing preparations for the Mahakumbh, several security threats have been reported, with authorities receiving multiple warnings. However, most of these threats are hoaxes, leading to the arrest of several individuals spreading false alarms.

In response to the large-scale event, heightened security measures have been implemented across all nine railway stations in Prayagraj. To ensure safety, the security level at major railway stations has been intensified starting Sunday. The Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) will oversee station security, while daily checking operations will be carried out in collaboration with the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), at all stations of Prayagraj.

For the first time, Prayagraj Airport will become a major air travel hub, welcoming pilgrims from across the country. As part of the airport’s expansion efforts, direct flight services are being introduced from several key cities across India. So far, flight schedules for 55 aircraft have been released, with expectations for this number to rise in the coming days.

Almost all major airlines have confirmed direct flights to Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh. Cities such as Jaipur, Indore, Delhi, Bilaspur, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Mumbai, Raipur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and more will be connected to Prayagraj. These flights, set to begin operations on January 10, will help accommodate the surge of pilgrims expected for the event.

As Prayagraj gears up for the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, a unique innovation is set to transform the pilgrim experience. The event will introduce India’s first 'Dome City' in the Arail region, offering visitors a blend of modern comfort and spiritual ambience during the grand event.

This luxurious accommodation facility will provide a secure and opulant stay, complete with breathtaking views of the Kumbh Mela. The Dome City will house 44 plush domes, each measuring 32x32 feet with heights ranging from 15 to 18 feet. Constructed using high-tech 360-degree polycarbonate sheets, these domes are not only visually striking but also built to be fireproof and bulletproof, ensuring maximum safety for guests.

Alongside the domes, the complex will include 176 well-appointed cottages equipped with modern conveniences such as air conditioning, geysers, and provisions for sattvik meals. Bookings for these cottages and domes are now available on the MakeMyTrip and Evolife websites.

UP Tourism Department is gearing up to highlight the grandeur of Mahakumbh 2025 on an international stage. The division will participate in two major global tourism fairs: FITUR in Madrid, Spain, and ITB Berlin in Germany, to attract global attention to the iconic festival.

To create a lasting impression, UP Tourism will set up grand thematic pavilions at both events:

• FITUR (Feria Internacional de Turismo): Scheduled from January 22 to 26, 2025, in Madrid, Spain.

• ITB Berlin: One of the leading travel trade shows in the world, to be held from March 4 to 6, 2025, in Berlin, Germany.

This initiative aims to elevate Uttar Pradesh’s profile as a premier travel destination, emphasizing its vibrant cultural heritage and the global appeal of Mahakumbh.