By The Indian government announced on Friday that over 420 million pilgrims have performed the ritual holy bath at the world’s largest religious festival, the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Authorities claim this staggering figure was calculated using artificial intelligence (AI) and a network of surveillance cameras.
Unprecedented Numbers at a Global Scale
The reported figure, which surpasses the combined population of the United States and Canada, highlights the immense scale of the event in the world’s most populous country, with 1.4 billion people. According to the Press Information Bureau, “More than 420 million devotees took a dip at the holy Triveni Sangam,” referring to the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers.
Festival Overview
The Maha Kumbh Mela, a six-week-long Hindu festival, celebrates prayer and ritual bathing to attain salvation. Held every 12 years, the current event began in January and will conclude on February 26, 2025.
Pilgrims believe that a dip at the Triveni Sangam during this sacred period purifies the soul and leads to salvation. The festival’s roots lie in Hindu mythology, which narrates a cosmic battle between deities and demons over a pitcher containing the nectar of immortality.
Modern Management Meets Challenges
Organizers employed AI-powered crowd management systems, overhead drones, and advanced camera networks to estimate the number of attendees and ensure crowd control. Despite these measures, a tragic stampede on January 29 claimed the lives of at least 30 people and injured 90 others, raising concerns over safety and event management.
Political and Religious Context
The festival’s promotion has drawn attention to the Hindu nationalist agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, both leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Modi himself participated in the festival, taking a ritual dip to connect with devotees.
While the government emphasized the successful organization of the event, the stampede has led to criticism of the state’s claims of effective crowd management.
Conclusion
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 stands as a testament to the cultural and spiritual significance of Hindu traditions. Despite the challenges, it remains a global spectacle, uniting millions in a shared journey of faith and devotion.
