Prayagraj Mahakumb Mela: An opportunity for promoting cross-border religious tourism

PRAYAGRAJ (INDIA), JANUARY 23: The world-renowned Maha Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering on Earth, is currently underway in Prayagraj, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers converge. According to the Uttar Pradesh Department of Tourism, over 10 million people participated in the holy dip on the first day of the fair, which is held once every 12 years in Prayagraj, India.

The 45-day-long religious gathering, which started on January 14, attracts millions of Hindu devotees who visit the confluence of the sacred rivers to purify their souls. The Department has estimated that approximately 450 million pilgrims are expected to visit the fair. Pilgrims from across India and Nepal, along with other countries, gather to take part in this sacred ritual.

Isha Priya, Director General of Uttar Pradesh Tourism, emphasized the special significance of this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela, marking a 144-year gap between the last two. She expressed hope that this historic event would contribute to promoting cross-border religious tourism.

To ensure the safety of the vast number of pilgrims, extensive security measures have been implemented. Over 25,000 security personnel have been deployed around the fairgrounds. Additionally, 100,000 temporary tents have been set up along the banks of the confluence to accommodate the devotees. The area is illuminated at night, adding to the beauty of the fair. Temporary camps and health centers have been established for the pilgrims' convenience.

More than 25,000 CCTV cameras have been installed around the fair area, including underwater cameras, to ensure security. According to Indian media reports, over 7,000 buses have been arranged to transport devotees from Prayagraj Airport to the fair. Additionally, 550 shuttle buses, 13,000 rickshaws, special trains, and temporary hospitals with 6,000 beds are available to manage the large crowds. Ambulances, both road and air, are also on standby, and helicopter services are available for observing the fair from above.

Reports suggest that over 100 million people have already taken a holy dip at the fair. On average, around 10 million devotees visit the Kumbh Mela daily, as it is believed that bathing at the confluence of the sacred rivers will absolve sins and purify the soul.

The Ministry of Culture of India has integrated modern technology to enhance the experience at the fair. The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh has become a blend of spirituality and innovation, featuring high-tech security systems, digital land allotments, and immersive virtual reality experiences. This year's event serves as a model for combining tradition with technology, providing infrastructure, security, and digital services to the devotees.

Special cybersecurity arrangements have also been put in place for the safety of pilgrims, and the Uttar Pradesh government is utilizing various platforms, including print, digital, and social media, to promote the fair. Mobile cyber teams are conducting public awareness campaigns as part of the outreach effort.

Akash Deep, Additional Strategic Officer at Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, remarked that the fair has set a historical record and will further boost religious tourism. Santosh Kumar Singh, President of Vanarasi Tourism Guild, invited Hindu Nepali tourists to participate in the long-awaited fair. Kaushlendra Singh, General Secretary of Agra Travel Agents Association, expressed that the event would contribute significantly to regional religious tourism.

The fair includes several royal bathing days, including Shri Panchami, Shivaratri, and Purnima. On these days, the crowds may face some inconvenience due to the royal dips, but various bathing sites have been arranged to facilitate easier access for devotees. Additionally, motorboats and boats are available for transportation to the bathing sites.

The history of the Maha Kumbh Mela dates back thousands of years. According to Hindu mythology, the first Kumbh Mela was organized during the Satya Yuga by Shankaracharya. It is believed that during the churning of the ocean, the gods and demons fought to obtain nectar, and during the battle, a few drops of the nectar fell in four places—Prayagraj, Ujjain, Nashik, and Haridwar—where the Kumbh Mela is now held every 12 years.

A significant number of pilgrims from Nepal are also taking part in the Maha Kumbh Mela, continuing the long-standing tradition.

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