The Maha Kumbh has commenced in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with four crore devotees expected to gather for the sacred event from January 13-14. A seven-ring security strategy has transformed the area into a fortified zone to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
On January 13, approximately one crore people are anticipated to visit, while Makar Sankranti on January 14 will witness around three crore devotees taking a holy dip. As part of the preparations, authorities have declared the entire mela area a ‘no vehicle zone’ and set up traffic diversion routes leading to Sangam (the confluence of rivers).
To ensure smooth surveillance, over 2,700 CCTV cameras, including 328 AI-enabled ones at critical points like Sangam and the tent city, are deployed, and AI-powered analytics are being used to manage crowds.
“Nearly 40,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces and teams from UP technical services, are stationed in and around the mela area,” said IG (Prayagraj range) Prem Gautam. “All essential sites, including pandals, camps, tent cities, Sangam, and Sanskriti Gram, are under constant police observation.”
An advanced anti-drone system is in place, supported by a team of experts, and 20 high-tech drones will provide 24/7 surveillance, offering real-time updates across the mela’s 25 sectors. These drones will capture every detail of the crowd to ensure efficient monitoring.
The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) will help with traffic management and crowd control by providing crucial details.
For the comfort of devotees, 150,000 tents are erected, and 450,000 electricity connections are being provided, with over half already assigned. The anticipated number of visitors will be three times the population of Russia.
The Kumbh mela attracts a range of individuals, from disciplined saints and sadhus to hermits who emerge from seclusion to join the festivities. It also draws international figures like actor Richard Gere, director David Lynch, and the Dalai Lama.
In 2017, the Kumbh mela was recognized by UNESCO as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Held every three years across four cities in India, the Kumbh mela attracts millions of devotees. The “maha” Kumbh, occurring once every 12 years, is the most significant, drawing the largest crowds. Devotees believe that bathing in the rivers during the mela cleanses sins and liberates them from the cycle of life and death.
