Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025 set to be historic spiritual event: Chaudhary
North News
Mohali, December 30
The Uttar Pradesh Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is preparing for a grand and spiritually enriching Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025. The 45-day festival, scheduled from January 13 to February 26, is expected to host over 400 million devotees from around the world, showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions.
In his Mann Ki Baat radio address yesterday, Prime Minister Modi urged the Indian diaspora to join the festivities, calling the event a unique opportunity to connect with India’s development and heritage. “The Mahakumbh, combined with NRI Day and Republic Day, offers a rare chance to experience India’s cultural unity,” Modi said.
In this regard, Uttar Pradesh Minister for Sugarcane Development, Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, along with Dharmveer Prajapati, Minister of State for Home Guard, and Baldev Singh Aulakh, Minister of State for Agriculture, hosted a road show in Mohali to promote the event.
At the event, Chaudhary invited Punjab’s Governor, Gulab Chand Kataria, and the people of Punjab to participate in Mahakumbh 2025. He emphasized that the preparations are focused on ensuring the event’s historic significance, with international participation and state-of-the-art facilities. “The Mahakumbh is a divine and vibrant representation of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshth Bharat-Samaveshi Bharat’ (One India, Great India, Inclusive India), embodying the spirit of India’s cultural and spiritual consciousness,” he said.
“The Uttar Pradesh government is committed to making the Mahakumbh 2025 a global symbol of India’s cultural unity,” he added. Chaudhary also highlighted the success of the 2019 Mahakumbh, which was widely recognised for its efficient management and global impact. He expressed confidence that the 2025 edition will exceed the previous one in grandeur and spiritual significance.
The Mahakumbh will take place on the sacred banks at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, a UNESCO-recognized site of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This will be the first time in 12 years that the event is held in Prayagraj.
The Uttar Pradesh government has promised a cleaner, healthier, and more environmentally friendly Mahakumbh, focusing on sustainability initiatives like single-use plastic-free measures and eco-friendly infrastructure.
Cabinet Minister also said that the Uttar Pradesh government has outlined a comprehensive plan to ensure the festival, held from January 13 to February 26, is environmentally sustainable, equipped with top-tier healthcare services, and enhanced by cutting-edge digital innovations.
He added that as part of its “Har Ghar Dastak” campaign, the state is working to promote a plastic-free environment, aiming to deliver the message of sustainability to every household in Prayagraj. In addition, the government has planted over 300,000 trees across the city, with plans to maintain these green initiatives well beyond the Mela’s conclusion. “Our goal is to make Mahakumbh Mela 2025 both clean and green,” said Cabinet Minister Chaudhary, who emphasized the government’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
On the health front, extensive healthcare facilities have been set up for pilgrims, sadhus, saints, and tourists. A 100-bed hospital has been established at the Parade Ground, with two more hospitals (20-bed each) and smaller clinics offering 8 beds each. In addition, the Army Hospital has set up two 10-bed ICUs. A total of 291 MBBS doctors, 90 Ayurvedic and Unani specialists, and 182 nursing staff will be on duty around the clock. Separate wards for males, females, and children, along with delivery rooms and emergency wards, will also be available to ensure a safe and secure experience for attendees.
In a bid to modernize the experience, the Uttar Pradesh government is launching a digital Mahakumbh. “The Mahakumbh will not only be a divine event but a digitally enhanced experience,” said Chaudhary. Preparations include a dedicated website and mobile app, an AI-powered chatbot in 11 languages, and QR-based passes for attendees and vehicles. A multilingual digital lost-and-found center and ICT monitoring systems for cleanliness and facilities will further ensure the smooth management of the event, he added.
Drones will be deployed for surveillance, and live software will track 530 ongoing projects related to the festival, he said.
Sharing details, he further said that additionally, to improve traffic management, the government has set up 101 smart parking facilities, which can accommodate up to 500,000 vehicles per day. “The expanded parking area spans 1,867 hectares, a significant increase over the 1,103 hectares allocated in 2019. These facilities will be monitored via the Integrated Control Command Center, which also oversees crowd management,” he added.
He said that in terms of infrastructure, 35 permanent ghats and 9 new ghats have been constructed to accommodate the spiritual needs of attendees. A riverfront modeled after Mumbai’s Marine Drive has been developed along a 15.25-kilometer stretch, providing scenic views from the Sangam to the Nagvasuki Temple. Aerial flower showers will take place at 44 ghats along the riverfront, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere.
