Page 5 - Kumbh Mela

Corporates set aside Rs 5,000 crore for CSR, branding at Maha Kumbh

The Maha Kumbh is expected to welcome more than 400 million pilgrims and offers "an expansive platform to companies for branding and promotional activities

Harry Potter spotted at Mahakumbh? Viral video confuses the internet

Everyone's attention has been drawn to a viral Instagram video depicting a foreigner enjoying prasad at Prayagraj's Mahakumbh 2025. Netizens went crazy with his remarkable resemblance to Harry Potter

Kumbh Mela: 'Lost and found' centres reuniting children with their families

AI-powered 'Lost and Found' centres at the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering, are demonstrating their efficiency by reuniting individuals, especially children, with their families. The centre, also known as 'Khoya- Paaya Kendra', in Sector 4 of the fair ground recently reunited two missing children with their families using state-of-the-art technology, an official statement issued here said on Monday. The two children, seven-year-old Dharamjeet and six-year-old Vikas Kumar, were found by the police in different areas of the Mela on January 15 and brought to the centre. Their pictures were displayed on digital platforms and TV screens in the fair area to ensure that the information reached their families quickly, the statement said. Upon receiving the information, the families arrived at the centre. After completing the identification process, the children were handed over to their respective families. Both the children, residents of Chainpur, were brought to

Ola offers digital, green mobility experience for visitors at Maha Kumbh

Ride-hailing to electric mobility player Ola Group on Monday said it is offering digital and green mobility experience to millions of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh. By leveraging its comprehensive ecosystem -- Ola Electric and Ola Consumer, the group aims to offer pilgrims a seamless, sustainable, and connected experience by integrating AI, green mobility, and enhanced options for travel during the Maha Kumbh Mela, it said in a statement. Ola Founder Bhavish Aggarwal said Maha Kumbh 2025 is a reflection of India's rich traditions and aspirations for a tech-driven future. "We truly believe that the strategic intersection of AI, green mobility, and digital-first solutions will enhance the Maha Kumbh experience for millions of devotees. Our partnership with Maha Kumbh exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can enable efficient management of large gatherings with smart and sustainable solutions," he added. "We look forward to such partnerships going forward and remain committ

Maha Kumbh to generate 1.2 mn gig jobs across sectors: NLB Services

The ongoing Maha Kumbh, which commenced on January 13 and will conclude on February 26, is expected to generate 12 lakh gig and temporary jobs across various sectors, NLB Services CEO Sachin Alug on Monday. The observations by global technology and digital talent solutions provider NLB Services are based on internal data analysis and industry reports. The Uttar Pradesh government expects to host 400 million devotees. This historic congregation is emerging as a powerhouse for economic growth and temporary employment, he said. The economic ripple effect of the Maha Kumbh extends across multiple sectors, including infrastructure development, event management, security services, local trade, tourism, entertainment, and horticulture, fostering growth in both traditional and modern business segments, Alug added. In the tourism and hospitality industry alone, approximately 4.5 lakh jobs are anticipated, including roles such as hotel staff, tour guides, porters, travel consultants, and eve

Maha Kumbh 2025: Why did Juna Akhara expel Abhay Singh aka IIT Baba?

Juna Akhara expelled Abhay Singh or IIT Baba at Maha Kumbh for violating the sacred guru-shishya (master-disciple) tradition

Maha Kumbh: Govt's digital exhibition gives insights into different schemes

The exhibition showcases various schemes like the Nari Shakti Vandan Act and the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, which are bringing to life to Government of India's vision of empowering women

Iskcon, Adani Group tie up to give meals to nearly 100k daily at Maha Kumbh

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in partnership with the Adani Group, is providing meals to nearly one lakh people daily at the ongoing Maha Kumbh, a spiritual organisation's official said. At a camp on Harshvardhan Marg here, ISKCON's one kitchen prepares food for 30,000 - 35,000 people in one session, and more than one lakh people are served food in three sessions a day, its Director (CSR) Madhukant Das told PTI. ISKCON's food -- which includes dal, chole or rajma, vegetables and roti and rice, and halwa or boondi laddu in sweets-- is completely balanced. These meals are prepared on a clay stove over a fire of wood and cow dung cakes, which makes them taste amazing, he added. Das said meals are being distributed at 40 centres across Prayagraj, including bus stands, railway stations and several holding areas, where the crowd of devotees are halted on the main bathing days. He also informed that the food is also being distributed to 15,000 employees ...

Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Over 2.5 mn pilgrims visit on sixth day till 4 pm

As of Friday, January 17, more than 73 million pilgrims have visited the Mahakumbh Mela so far, as per data

Mahakumbh: Innovation welcome, but ensure brand connect, pilgrim welfare

I have no quarrel with all the innovative thinking that guides many brands' Kumbh initiatives -- just that the motive should be brand connect and pilgrim welfare

Maha Kumbh: Over 2.5 mn devotees take holy dip at Triveni Sangam on 4th day

The next key bathing dates include January 29 (Mauni Amavasya - Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami - Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri)

What is Bhashini, the AI-tool breaking language barriers at Maha Kumbh?

Bhashini, under the Digital India initiative, enables multilingual access for millions of pilgrims at Maha Kumbh 2025, ensuring seamless communication and a better event experience

Maha Kumbh 2025: Bookings, airfares fly high for Prayagraj flights

Bookings as well as airfares for flights to Prayagraj have jumped multi-fold as more people travel for the Maha Kumbh, with the air ticket prices rising up to 21 per cent for the Delhi-Prayagraj flights. According to an analysis by travel portal ixigo, the one-way airfare between Bhopal and Prayagraj has surged the maximum at 498 per cent to Rs 17,796 from Rs 2,977 last year. These are one-way average fares on 30 days APD (advanced purchase date) basis for the January 13 to February 26, 2025, compared to the year-ago period. While the airfare from Delhi to Prayagraj has risen 21 per cent to Rs 5,748, the jump is 13 per cent to Rs 6,381 for the Mumbai-Prayagraj flight. The rise in the air ticket price is 89 per cent for the Bengaluru-Prayagraj service to Rs 11,158 while the increase is 41 per cent to Rs 10,364 for the Ahmedabad-Prayagraj flight, as per the analysis. For the flights to Lucknow and Varanasi, cities that are near Prayagraj where the Maha Kumbh is happening, airfares h

Consumer goods brands rush to grab eyeballs as pilgrims come for Mahakumbh

From putting products on display at stalls to setting up resting camps for pilgrims, consumer goods companies have been scrambling to showcase brands at Mahakumbh as devotees throng in record numbers to take a holy dip at Sangam -- the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati. Top brands, including Dettol, Dabur, Pepsico, Coca-Cola, and corporate houses such as ITC and Reliance have set up camp ashrams, lined up their products, and are distributing samples and refreshments. The unmissable signage boards make one thing clear: the companies are expecting to make their presence felt in the coming days. The brands -- which have been facing headwinds owing to multiple factors led by rising prices and tepid sales in urban markets -- are taking the Mahakumbh as an opportunity to directly engage with the consumers -- especially the rural population -- and communicating with them through a host of special initiatives over 45-day-long events, in which about 40 crore peopl

From aerospace engineer to seer: Meet IITian Baba at Mahakumbh 2025

A former IIT Bombay aerospace engineer, the seer spotted at the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela, is said to have left science to embrace spirituality

Around 35 mn take dip in Maha Kumbh on 1st 'Amrit Snan' on Makar Sankranti

Seers from various 'akharas' took the first 'Amrit Snan' at the Maha Kumbh on Makar Sankranti on Tuesday as an unbroken stream of people converged at the Triveni Sangam on the occasion with around 3.5 crore devotees taking a dip. Leading most of the akharas were ash-smeared Naga sadhus or naked seers who mesmerised onlookers with their discipline and mastery of traditional weapons. From skilfully wielding spears and swords to energetically playing the 'damru', their demonstrations were a vibrant celebration of age-old traditions, an official statement said. In addition to the male Naga sadhus, female Naga ascetics were also present in significant numbers. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, around 3.5 crore devotees took a dip on Tuesday, almost double the first day's figure. While the the first major 'snan' of the Maha Kumbh was on Monday on the occasion of 'Paush Purnima', the akharas or the members of the Hindu monastic orders took their first snan on Makar Sankranti. S

Engineer Baba to model Harsha: Youths throng Maha Kumbh in search of peace

"Engineer Baba" is a former Aerospace Engineering student from IIT Bombay. Hailing from Haryana, he is introducing devotees in Maha Kumbh to the profound depths of spirituality using scientific principles. There are others like Engineer Baba who have renounced the worldly life to venture into spirituality. They have become major attractions in the Maha Kumbh which started on Monday. Anchors, models and engineers, both from India and abroad, are increasingly embracing the Sanatan faith and spirituality, according to an official statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh government. Several inspiring stories have emerged during the Maha Kumbh. Among them is one of originally Abhay Singh, known as Engineer Baba. He is a former Aerospace Engineering student from IIT Bombay. He has captivated the devotees at the Maha Kumbh with his unique approach, blending scientific knowledge with spiritual wisdom. Using diagrams and visual presentations, he simplifies complex spiritual concepts, making the

UP govt showers flowers from helicopters on devotees at Maha Kumbh

Rose petals were showered on devotees during their 'Amrit Snan' at the Maha Kumbh on Makar Sankranti, draping the ghats and akharas at the Sangam bank with flowers. As the rose petals rained down on the devotees, they responded with chants of Jai Shri Ram and Har Har Mahadev. The Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement, "The Horticulture Department, following the directives of the Yogi Adityanath government, had been meticulously preparing for the flower showers at the Maha Kumbh Mela for weeks. Special arrangements were made to procure and store rose petals to ensure an uninterrupted shower during the bathing festivals." "Preparations have been made for flower showers on all major 'snan parv' (bathing rituals) of Maha Kumbh, with plans to use around 20 quintals of rose petals for each occasion," it added. Rose petals were showered on the devotees on Monday, too, during the first bathing festival 'Paush Purnima Snan'. The Horticulture Department ensured sufficient stock for t

Mahakumbh 2025: 10 mn gather at Sangam; first Amrit Snan begins on Sankranti

Over 10 million devotees gathered at Triveni Sangam on Makar Sankranti for the first Amrit Snan of Mahakumbh 2025, with Akharas leading sacred rituals amid extensive arrangements

10 million devotees take dip in Sangam on 1st Amrit Snan of Maha Kumbh

The DGP further informed that apart from that, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti people in major cities across the state are doing Snan