Millions flock to Maha Kumbh Mela for holy dip as pilgrim influx surges

KATHMANDU: Devotees are seen rejoicing as they take holy dips at the confluence of the Yamuna and Ganges rivers.

Despite the fatigue from long-distance travel, their excitement upon arriving here is evident in their expressions.

The Kumbh Mela, which is believed to take place once every 144 years, draws millions of devotees who chant the name of God while immersing themselves in the sacred waters along the riverbanks.

The site holds immense religious significance due to the belief that the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers converge here. However, the Saraswati River is not visibly present today.

According to Gagan Yadav, Information Officer of the Kumbh Mela, the influx of visitors to the ongoing event in Prayagraj, Uttarakhand, has been rising daily since last month. He stated that approximately 10 to 30 million devotees arrive here each day.

“AI-powered cameras have been installed at key intersections to track visitor numbers. In a single day, as many as 30 million people have attended the grand gathering,” he said.

The number of devotees surged significantly following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit and ritual bath at the site. “Managing the growing crowds over the past five days has become an enormous challenge for us,” he added.

So far, over 450 million devotees have visited the Maha Kumbh Mela, with attendees from various countries, including Nepal. The total number of visitors is expected to reach 550 million before the event concludes.

Yadav also highlighted Nepal’s potential to benefit from the Kumbh Mela by promoting religious tourism. Many devotees traveling to the fair also visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Vishwanath Baba Temple in Varanasi.

Similarly, Nepal could attract pilgrims to its renowned religious sites, including Pashupatinath, Muktinath, and Lumbini.

To accommodate the vast number of pilgrims, arrangements have been made along the riverbanks to facilitate the holy bath.

Additionally, a dedicated space has been established for ‘podcasting,’ providing accommodation for local, national, and international media.

A temporary lodging facility has also been set up for visitors. According to Information Officer Yadav, the Indian government has invested Rs 75 billion in organizing the fair.