India Welcomes Millions for the Maha Kumbh Mela Festival

The Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious festival, has commenced along the banks of the Ganges in Prayagraj, India, attracting an expected 400 million attendees over six weeks. The festival began on Monday, January 13, with over six million participants taking part in a ritual bath despite chilly temperatures.

This year marks a significant occasion as the festival occurs under the Hindu-nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who aims to ensure its success. The Uttar Pradesh state government has invested approximately 70 billion rupees in infrastructure and security measures to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. The Indian Railways is additionally running 13,000 trains and has allocated another 50 billion rupees for railway enhancements.

In Prayagraj, large tent cities have been established, offering a range of accommodations from basic dormitories to luxurious suites costing over 100,000 rupees per night. Local businesses, including hoteliers and food vendors, are anticipating a total revenue of around 250 billion rupees by the festival's conclusion on February 26.

The Maha Kumbh Mela takes place in a twelve-year cycle in four different cities: Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj. It traditionally encompasses a religious component where devout Hindus bathe in the river to purify themselves of sins, guided by holy men known as Sadhus.

Historically, the festival has intertwined religious, commercial, and political elements. During British colonial rule, it became a site of political activism. In modern times, it serves as a platform for leaders to engage with the public, with extensive security measures in place to prevent incidents like the 1954 tragedy that claimed 800 lives.

This year's festival also includes advanced surveillance measures, with 2,300 cameras monitoring the extensive grounds and a cybersecurity center established to address misinformation. For the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the event represents an opportunity to promote Hindu identity within a diverse nation.