Mahakumbh 2025: As Prayagrajs mela attracts hundreds of thousands, non secular tourism is ready to develop

Ravikrishna runs Tiwari and Bros, a journey company that his grandfather began in Prayagraj (then Allahabad) means again in 1962. Till late 2024, he had 35 individuals working for him, largely drivers and cleaners. Spotting the enterprise alternatives that the Mahakumbh supplied, Ravikrishna gathered 150 drivers and assist workers just some months earlier than the non secular occasion. He says he has made “greater than 10 lakh rupees” within the final 45 days alone.

“Even MPs and VIPs have booked their autos via my company,” he says, proudly, “I’ve been in Prayagraj all my life, however have by no means seen one thing just like the Mahakumbh.”

This occasion, a non secular extravaganza, concludes with Mahashivratri at Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. Over 50 crore individuals reportedly took a dip on the Triveni Sangam, from throughout India and overseas.

From celebrities — like Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, whose Chhaavalaunched just lately — to working-class Indians — just like the Mumbai couple who travelled 1, 200 kilometres on a motorcycle to achieve Prayagraj — everybody has or is aware of an individual with a Mahakumbh story. With 1000’s of personnel from the tourism and hospitality trade catering to them, this spectacle has given an impetus to a burgeoning journey sector: non secular tourism.

All roads led to Prayagraj

In February, Lakshminarayanan R took a particular SpiceJet flight from Chennai to Prayagraj and again — a spherical journey that price him round ₹41,000. He needed to stroll greater than three hours to achieve the Sangam space, however the media skilled affirms that “it was all price it”.

Like him, standard singer Shweta Mohan too was at Prayagraj, however as a performer. Invited by the Ministry of Culture, Shweta introduced fusion bhakti sangeet, an expertise she recollects as “soul satisfying”. “To be invited to be a part of such a big occasion was a blessing. I needed this to be a tribute to the Almighty who has blessed us with the expertise of constructing individuals blissful via music. Just watching the Ganga river in all its glory was unforgettable,” she says, of her expertise.

Shweta’s journey was deliberate and on invitation, however there have been a number of 1000’s from throughout India and even overseas, who put collectively fast itineraries after seeing the thrill on social media. “The final 45 days has been distinctive. I’ve by no means seen such demand in my 35 years of working within the hospitality trade,” says Ashish Vohra, founder and CEO, Justa Hotels and Resorts. He is referring to the overwhelming variety of cellphone calls his call-centre professionals acquired for his jüSTa Shivir Jhusi, an 18-acre property on the banks of the Ganga that had 118 tents. “We obtained greater than 500 calls day by day, with enquiries from varied elements of the nation. People have been eager on getting their tent lodging confirmed quite than negotiating charges. They have been additionally versatile on altering dates. . Quite a lot of them have been truly reserving resorts or tents earlier than planning their journey.”

There have been some challenges — such because the stampede that reportedly resulted within the dying of devotees and information of the river water being contaminated — however that didn’t deter individuals from desirous to expertise the Mahakumbh, based on locals. “People saved coming. We just lately had a gaggle that arrived by personal plane from London,” provides Ashish, who additionally ran about 10 boats from his property at Jhusi, carrying about 10 individuals every at a value of ₹3,000 every, to instantly entry the Triveni Sangam, thus bypassing crowds.

A prayer for the journey

Mahakumbh indicators the expansion of non secular tourism in India. It is predicted that by 2030, multiple hundred million individuals can be gainfully employed via momentary and everlasting jobs pushed by India’s non secular tourism alone, which is anticipated to be price round $59 billion by 2028.

Catering to this are a number of on-line gamers, like MakeMyTrip, wherein searches for non secular vacation spot surged by 46% in 2024 as in comparison with 2022. Pilgrimage locations additionally accounted for over 10% of MakeMyTrip’s complete room evening bookings in Q3 FY25, thus encouraging them to launch a particular providing, Loved by Devotees, a curated assortment of 450-plus resorts and homestays throughout main non secular locations, together with Ayodhya, Dwarka and Guruvayur, amongst others.

Come March, the main focus for potential travellers shifts from Prayagraj to the Char Dam Yatra, a pilgrimage circuit in Uttarakhand that takes individuals via Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Explains Preeti Satyanarayana of EaseMyTrip, “It is a brief interval from May to October, for which bookings begin from March. We anticipate the joy amongst non secular vacationers being excessive for this circuit,” says Preeti.

Enquiries for journey to locations comparable to Tirupati, Mahakal (Ujjain) and the 12 jyotirlingas of Shiva go on via the 12 months. “Earlier, solely senior residents would take into consideration non secular journeys. But now, even the youth, corporates and NRIs have an interest. During the Mahakumbh, we noticed excessive reserving exercise from younger travellers within the 30-35 age group. Many visitors additionally reached out to us to know the fitting means of performing rituals. Someone from Chennai may pay attention to temples in Kumbakonam and Madurai, however an individual from North India and overseas may not know its significance,” provides Preeti.

The identical may very well be mentioned of locations like Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. Located on the foot of the Trikuta mountains, Katra is the bottom for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi Temple, aside from being near different non secular points of interest such because the Krimchi temples. Other locations of significance too are attracting consideration. Adds Preeti, “We are additionally planning to supply journeys to church buildings in Mumbai and Goa, aside from the Panj takhts, the essential websites for Sikhs, and different choices to locations vital to Muslims as effectively.”

Apart from the numerous wealthy Indian splendours, the Indian non secular vacationer can be taking a look at choices overseas as effectively. Shweta Mohan, for example, has The Ramayana path in Sri Lanka on her bucket checklist. “Spiritual tourism is rising at a fast tempo and individuals are embracing it,” says Ashish. The gods are ready.

Published – February 26, 2025 02:23 pm IST