The Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's biggest religious gathering, ended yesterday after 45 days. During this time, 65 crore people visited the event. Many pilgrims came to the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj early in the morning to take a holy dip, especially on Maha Shivratri, the last big bathing day.

On Maha Shivratri, the last day of the Kumbh, a huge number of devotees gathered to take a holy dip at the Sangam. By 2 AM on Wednesday, 11.66 lakh people had already bathed. The crowd kept growing, reaching 25.64 lakh by 4 AM, 41.11 lakh by 6 AM, and 81.09 lakh by 10 AM.

This special occasion celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is considered very holy because, according to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva played an important role in the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). During this event, a nectar-filled pitcher (Amrit Kumbh) was discovered, which is the main reason the Kumbh Mela is celebrated.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 has attracted an astonishing 65 crore devotees, surpassing the population of most countries. Only China and India have more people than the number of pilgrims who attended this grand event. Some key bathing days saw massive turnouts, with 8 crore devotees gathering on Mauni Amavasya, the highest single-day attendance. Makar Sankranti on January 14 witnessed 3.5 crore pilgrims, while Paush Purnima on January 13 saw 1.7 crore people taking a holy dip.

On January 30 and February 1, over 2 crore devotees bathed each day. The Uttar Pradesh government had estimated around 45 crore visitors, but this number was crossed two weeks ago. Compared to major global events like the Rio Carnival (70 lakh), Haj pilgrimage (25 lakh), and Oktoberfest (72 lakh), the Maha Kumbh stands unmatched in its scale and devotion.

Economic boost of Rs 3 lakh crore

The Uttar Pradesh government spent Rs 7,500 crore to organise the grand event, but the economic impact is expected to be far greater. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that Maha Kumbh will contribute over Rs 3 lakh crore to the state's economy.

CM Yogi Adityanath "The potential of Uttar Pradesh, which the world is witnessing today, can be linked to the Maha Kumbh Mela. The Maha Kumbh alone is going to help the economy of UP grow by over Rs 3 lakh crore."

Economic experts support this claim. Former IAS officer Awanish Awasthi noted that "if one pilgrim spends Rs 8,000 for Maha Kumbh, the number would cross Rs 3.2 lakh crore based on the expected footfall."

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) also supported these figures, estimating that the event would bring in over ₹2 lakh crore through tourism and trade. This includes spending on hotels, guesthouses, temporary accommodations, food, religious items, healthcare, and transportation.

This year's tent city and event setup were one of the biggest ever. Around 68 lakh wooden poles were used for tents, covering a distance longer than from Prayagraj to Washington DC (20,726 km). The setup also used 100 kilometers of fabric and 250 tonnes of CGI sheets for roofing. A team of 3,000 workers worked in three shifts for months to build this temporary city. Even though the Kumbh lasted 45 days, preparing for it took six months.

Massive security arrangements

Managing such a huge crowd required tight security. Around 50,000 police personnel, including cybercrime experts, were deployed to keep the event safe. A seven-layer security system was in place to monitor both inner and outer areas. According to UP DGP Prashant Kumar, 1,000 police personnel were stationed at 102 checkpoints, while 2,700 AI-enabled cameras kept watch in real time.

Additionally, 113 underwater drones, which can dive up to 100 meters, were used to monitor water bodies and prevent accidents. The UP Police also invested Rs 200 crore in disaster management, including fire safety, drowning prevention, and emergency response measures.

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