The Mahakumbh Mela, held once every 12 years in Prayagraj, has attracted around 63 crore (630 million) visitors from all over India and the world, and has become the largest and most technologically advanced gathering in history.
BEYOND RELIGION: A SHOWCASE OF GOVERNANCE, TECH & ECONOMY
While the Mahakumbh’s spiritual and cultural significance is widely known, what often goes unnoticed is the immense technological and logistical machinery that keeps this mega-event running smoothly.
Governments, tech startups, and businesses have collaborated to manage infrastructure, security, sanitation, healthcare, transport, and digital payments at an unprecedented scale.
With the revenue generated in the billions, diverse employment opportunities, and smart city innovations, the Mahakumbh is not merely a festival— it’s a testament to India’s capabilities in urban planning, governance, technology, entrepreneurship, and economic impact.
THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Governments have played a pivotal role in ensuring the Mahakumbh’s success. Extensive collaborations with private enterprises has helped streamline operations. Investments in smart infrastructure, public safety, and real-time data tracking contributed to seamless execution.
Furthermore, the Mahakumbh served as a test-bed for innovative large-scale governance strategies, with lessons learned here to be applied to urban planning, disaster management, and smart city initiatives across India. The event showcased how Digital India is evolving to accommodate the needs of a growing tech-savvy population.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & TECH-DRIVEN SMART SOLUTIONS
The Mahakumbh is more than a cultural event—it is a catalyst for economic development, generating employment for millions of people, from artisans and local vendors to tech entrepreneurs and service providers. Small businesses flourished, with startups in healthcare, logistics, hospitality, and fintech playing a significant role.
The event also proved to be a launchpad for innovation. Many early-stage entrepreneurs leveraged the Mahakumbh to test their products and services in a real-world, high-demand scenario. From mobile payment solutions facilitating cashless transactions to AI-driven food distribution systems, startups found immense opportunities for scaling their ventures.
1. Civil Infrastructure & Tourism
The Uttar Pradesh government had allocated ₹2500 crore (~$ 290 million) for infrastructure upgrades, including:
– Wider roads & expressways for smooth traffic flow
– Massive tent cities, covering thousands of acres, with modern sanitation
– Temporary townships with power, water, and food distribution systems
– Improved ghats (riverbanks) and bridges for safe river access
Setting up a city from scratch every 12 years requires massive infrastructure development, making the Mahakumbh comparable to building a temporary metropolis.
With millions of people arriving daily, accommodation is a significant challenge. Authorities and private players deployed a mix of temporary housing solutions:
– Hotels and dharamshalas fully booked months in advance
– Smart accommodation booking systems to manage crowds
– Local homestays for visitors preferring a traditional experience
Entrepreneurs and startups have stepped in, offering app-based bookings, rental services, and AI-driven hotel management systems to make stays more accessible and efficient.
Civil engineering startups used modular construction techniques to set up infrastructure in record time.
The entire city was planned, built, and dismantled within a span of a few months, demonstrating India’s engineering and urban planning prowess.
2. AI-Powered Crowd Management & Security
To manage the enormous influx of people, the Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC) was established. ICCC was created by the Prayagraj Smart City in collaboration with the Mela authority and the Prayagraj Police department to ensure seamless management of the event. Startups specializing in AI and IoT collaborated with government agencies to provide:
– AI-powered predictive analytics for better crowd management
– IoT-enabled sensors and drone surveillance to track crowd movement
– Blockchain-based digital identity verification for secure pilgrim registration
– 5G-enabled real-time monitoring for enhanced coordination
– Mobile apps for real-time updates on routes, accommodations, and medical facilities
– Drone-based medical supply deliveries & emergency response
– Green energy solutions to make the Mahakumbh carbon-neutral
3. Smart Traffic & Transport Solutions
With thousands of buses, trains, and private vehicles pouring into the city, GPS-based smart transport solutions helped authorities manage vehicle influx, optimize parking spaces, and ensure smooth traffic flow. Special trains, additional railway coaches and flights were added to ensure seamless travel for visitors. Ride-sharing and EV startups have also stepped in to provide last-mile connectivity for visitors. Electric buses and e-rickshaws were also deployed for eco-friendly transport. Smart parking management startup, Park+, utilized AI to enable pilgrims to pre-book parking spots, facilitate FASTag payments, access EV charging stations, and ensure 24/7 security.
4. Digital Payments & Economic Boost
Cashless transactions are a necessity for an event of this scale. UPI-based payments, QR codes, and mobile wallets were integrated with vendors, ensuring seamless transactions for everything from food to accommodation. Temporary markets thrived, with startups enabling hyperlocal delivery and logistics.
Fintech startups played a crucial role in bringing financial services to small vendors and shopkeepers who set up businesses during the event. PhonePe introduced insurance for pilgrims and special QR codes to streamline financial transactions, while Paytm enhanced convenience with diverse payment options, cashback offers, and reward campaigns.
5. Healthcare & Emergency Response
One of the biggest concerns in events of this scale is public health. Despite the massive footfall, there were no major public health crises in this Mahakumbh—a testament to the meticulous planning of healthcare services.
– 500+ medical camps set up across the region
– 3500+ doctors, nurses, and paramedics deployed
– AI-driven predictive health monitoring to detect outbreaks
– Real-time monitoring of sanitation & food quality for early detection of health risks
– Real-time ambulance tracking & emergency response
– Mobile hospitals and telemedicine services powered by health-tech startups
This robust health infrastructure ensured timely medical intervention, disease prevention, and seamless emergency response, making the Mahakumbh a model for future global events.
INNOVATION MEETS TRADITION
As digital platforms gain prominence and consumer engagement becomes crucial, brands, startups, and entrepreneurs seized the Mahakumbh as an opportunity to connect with their audiences in innovative ways. Prominent brands like Dabur, HUL, and P&G collaborated with restaurants to promote their products, while food delivery startup, WAAYU, partnered with Paytm and Snapdeal to deliver sacred Mahaprasad to homes across India.
Spiritual tech startups witnessed significant growth in users and revenue during the Mahakumbh, leveraging technology to enhance accessibility. Sri Mandir brought the Mahakumbh experience to those unable to attend by enabling users to create virtual temples, perform rituals, and receive Gangajal at their doorsteps. Astrotalk connected devotees with spiritual experts remotely, offering guidance during the event.
Solopreneurs and young influencers also had their moment in the sun during the Mahakumbh. Pintu, a boatsman from Prayagraj, saw the opportunity that the 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela provided and decided to invest heavily in his business for the 2025 edition. He hired around 300 people to run 130 boats for the entire duration of the Mahakumbh, braving the weather and unexpected hurdles along the way, to earn ₹30 crore (~$3.4 million) in 45 days.
A resourceful entrepreneur capitalized on the Mahakumbh crowd by selling Neem Datoon (Neem stems used as toothbrushes) for just ₹1 each. With approximately 63 crore attendees, even at such a low price, his earnings could have reached millions. Given that Neem trees are abundant in India and the stems can be sourced freely from local trees, his business operated with virtually zero input costs, making it a highly profitable venture.
Another young entrepreneur, Shubham Prajapat, set up a temporary stall to test the business potential of the Mahakumbh, selling tea and water bottles. Shubham capitalized on the massive footfall of the Mahakumbh, serving a cup of tea for ₹10 and earning a profit of ₹5000 daily. He also utilized social media to spread the word on his business venture leading to photos and videos of him and his stall across most social media platforms.
THE POWER OF COLLABORATION
The Mahakumbh proved that when governments, industry and startups converge, all things are possible. The event is a blueprint for handling large-scale urban challenges, a catalyst for economic growth, and a platform for innovation in governance and smart city solutions.
According to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, the Mahakumbh contributed significantly to the economy, generating ₹40,000 crore (~$4.5 billion) in the hotel industry, ₹33,000 crore (~$3.7 billion) in food and daily essentials, ₹1.5 lakh crore (~$17.2 billion) in transportation, ₹20,000 crore (~$2.2 billion) in religious offerings, ₹660 crore (~75.6 million) in donations, ₹300 crore (~$34.4 million) in toll tax, and ₹66,000 crore (~7.5 billion) in other revenue, boosting multiple sectors.
Beyond faith and tourism, the Mahakumbh is a celebration of innovation, resilience, and a showcase of India’s technological prowess, entrepreneurial spirit, and logistical expertise.
It’s a testament to India’s ability to scale, innovate, adapt and lead at a global scale.
