Maha Kumbh set to outshine Rio Carnival, Oktoberfest, Haj

The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela is poised to eclipse major global events, like Brazil’s Rio Carnival and Germany’s Oktoberfest, with its unmatched attendance. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, more than 45 crore devotees, including 15 lakh foreign tourists, are expected to attend the world’s largest religious gathering, Moneycontrol reported.

The government has highlighted Maha Kumbh Mela’s role as a platform for unity and equality, bringing together people from diverse cultures, regions and traditions. According to UP government officials, during a press meet with foreign journalists, this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela is set to surpass Rio Carnival’s attendance count of 70 lakh visitors, Oktoberfest’s tally of 72 lakh, and Haj's 25 lakh attendees.

The last major gathering at the site, the "Ardh" or half Kumbh Mela in 2019, attracted more than 24 crore devotees. According to the organisers, cited in an AFP report last week, the Maha Kumbh Mela is a temporary city in itself with the number of visitors projected to surpass the combined population of countries like the United States and Canada. "Some 35 to 40 crore devotees are going to visit the mela, so you can imagine the scale of preparations," festival spokesman Vivek Chaturvedi has been quoted in the report.

To accommodate this number, the riverside in Prayagraj has been transformed into an expansive tent city, offering a mix of luxury tents and simpler setups. Around 150,000 public wasrooms have been installed, and more than 68,000 LED light poles have been set up to illuminate the area, creating a glowing spectacle visible from the space. Community kitchens have been set up, each capable of serving meals to about 50,000 people simultaneously.

Fourteen new flyovers, nine permanent ghats, seven new bus stations, and 12 km of temporary ghats have been set up. Security has been ramped up with the deployment of 37,000 policemen, 14,000 home guards, and 2,750 AI-based CCTV cameras.

Healthcare facilities have been bolstered with 6,000 hospital beds, 43 hospitals, and air ambulance services. Additionally, 10,200 sanitation workers and 1,800 Ganga Sevaduts are working to maintain cleanliness during the event.

The event’s budget stands at nearly Rs 6,382 crore, and it is projected to generate Rs 25,000 crore in revenue for the state. Religious tourism has also seen a surge, benefiting sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and local trade.