Over its 45-day course, Mahakumbh-2025 – held on the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna (and the legendary Saraswati) – is anticipated to draw 300 to 400 million folks from India and overseas, the state authorities estimates.
The Chhavni Pravesh procession in progress in Prayagraj on Wednesday. (Anil Kumar Maurya/HT)
This gathering of numerous folks, sure by religion, however coming from totally different lessons of society – each Indian and international – presents a novel alternative for statisticians, information scientists and researchers – each Indian and international – to collate this data.
Certainly, from the confluence of religion will stream streams of data and knowledge as these students from nearly two dozen establishments from India and overseas will method the Mahakumbh from stand-points of anthropological research, financial, socio-cultural points to expertise, surroundings, city planning, transport and lots of extra.
High universities
Main establishments are concerned on this analysis. One of many high universities of the nation, Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNU) will give attention to the socio-cultural manifestations and the financial impression of the Mahakumbh. Delhi College will research the honest’s philosophical and unifying dimensions, together with the collective consciousness, ritual practices, and nationwide identification.
Our personal Lucknow College will undertake an anthropological research of pilgrimage and sacred geography, mapping the transient metropolis created by the Kumbh Mela. Ahmedabad College will research the occasion by ethnographic accounts. Moreover, a number of worldwide universities have been invited to contribute to research on numerous features of the Kumbh.
The IIMs
Indian Institute of Administration (IIM) Bangalore will give attention to figuring out greatest practices in strategic planning and administration methods for the environment friendly organisation of the occasion.
IIM Ahmedabad will research the multifaceted impacts of the Mahakumbh, non secular rituals to its broader societal results.
IIM Lucknow can even research greatest practices in strategic planning and administration methods for environment friendly organisation of Mahakumbh.
Prof Suresh Ok Jakhar, chairperson, PGP, IIM Lucknow stated, “The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is not just the world’s largest human gathering, it is a testament to India’s rich cultural heritage, spiritual ethos, and organisational prowess. At IIM Lucknow, we are honoured to undertake this landmark research initiative aimed at analysing best practices in strategic planning, management, and socio-cultural impacts of the event. This study will not only provide actionable insights for managing large-scale events but also highlight the integral role of technological advancements, stakeholder collaboration, and cultural nationalism. Our endeavour is to create a blueprint that can be replicated globally for similar initiatives while preserving the sanctity and significance of such occasions.”
Prof Himanshu Rai, director, IIM Indore stated, “The research proposal seeks to comprehensively study the collective participation in Mahakumbh 2025 and how it shapes individual and social experiences. In-depth multi-method studies will investigate the impact of collective participation on individual and social well-being and a sense of shared identity. The study will highlight the role of demographics (such as age, gender,
religion, education, occupation, caste, socio-economic status, region, attendee’s status & goal, etc.) and psycho-social variables (religiosity, ritualistic involvement, meaning of participation, collective self-realisation, personality correlates, affective attachment, crowd experience and so on) in defining the impact of participation in Maha Kumbh 2025. The research will explore the nuanced dynamics of cultural diversity at the Mela and its impact on the mindset and well-being of attendees.”
AIIMS
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will conduct a danger evaluation and consider well being system preparedness for emergency medical responses on this mass non secular gathering.
IITs
IIT Kanpur, in collaboration with Saksham Strategic Nikshay Abhiyan, will research the function of social media on the Mahakumbh. Moreover, the Worldwide Centre for Clear Water (ICCW) and IIT Madras will assess water and wastewater administration techniques on the occasion. IIT-Ok director Prof Manindra Agrawal stated, “A team of IIT-K researchers comprising professors and students are in touch with different government agencies to accomplish the task.”
The IIT Madras, IIT BHU , MNNIT Allahabad and Kyoto College will collectively research engineering challenges associated to preparations for multi-modal transportation , pedestrian entry, visitors administration through the Mela.
The College of Planning and Structure will research planning, city infrastructure and transportation through the Mela, and the Nationwide Institute of City Affairs will research the financial impression of Mahakumbh.
Samskruti Basis, Hyderabad will research sensitivity and stewardship of pilgrims in the direction of surroundings for river rejuvenation, Council on Vitality Surroundings and Water ( CEEW) will do evaluation of electrical autos, Nationwide Institute of City Affairs will research city infrastructure, planning and mobility challenges in Prayagraj.
Officers say
Secretary city growth Amit Singh stated, “The research effort is aimed at studying the world’s largest human gathering with all its socio-cultural manifestations and systemic and logistic interlinkages.”
The analysis initiative is split into two complete classes: planning and implementation of Mahakumbh, and estimating the financial impression and consequence of the Mela.
Below Planning and Implementation, researchers will give attention to seven key areas:
1. Administration and Planning methods for environment friendly crowd administration and safety preparations
2. Anthropological Research inspecting pure conglomeration and meals distribution techniques
3. Socio-Cultural Manifestations, together with unifying influences fostering cultural nationalism and the function of social media
4. Well being and Catastrophe Administration, encompassing healthcare infrastructure and emergency response methods
5. Digital Expertise functions, together with biometric techniques, AI, and video summarizers
6. Environmental Research specializing in Swachh Bharat Mission and waste administration
7. City Infrastructure, Planning, and Transport, addressing demographic shifts and mobility challenges
The Financial Affect and Final result research will focus on two foremost areas:
1. Tourism Expenditure evaluation throughout numerous classes together with lodging, meals, transportation, and non secular actions
2. Research of State and Central Authorities spending on infrastructure growth.