Prayagraj: In preparation for the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela, which is set to begin on January 13, 2025, Prayagraj has announced the creation of a temporary district dedicated to the festival. This district, which will remain in place until March 31, 2025, will aim to streamline administration, improve governance, and ensure the efficient management of the massive influx of pilgrims.
Establishment of the Maha Kumbh Mela District
On December 1, 2024, Prayagraj’s District Magistrate, Ravindra Kumar Mandar, officially announced the establishment of the Mahakumbh Mela district as per the government’s directives. This move follows a similar strategy implemented during the 2019 Kumbh Mela to manage the temporary administrative requirements of the large-scale religious event.
The new district will encompass the parade area and 66 villages across four tehsils—Sadar, Soraon, Phulpur, and Karchana. The purpose of this temporary district is to provide better governance during the Mela period, which attracts millions of pilgrims from across the country and abroad. It will include a broad range of administrative, law enforcement, and public welfare services.
Administrative Setup
The Mahakumbh Mela district will operate under the leadership of Mela Adhikari, Vijay Kiran Anand. As the head of this temporary district, Anand will fulfill the roles of Additional District Magistrate, District Magistrate, and Executive Magistrate. This consolidated role will allow for more efficient decision-making and oversight of the festival’s operations. The district setup will also include one Tehsildar, 28 Sub-Divisional Magistrates, 3 Additional District Magistrates, and 24 Naib Tehsildars, all working to ensure smooth functioning throughout the Mela period.
Law Enforcement and Security Measures
In terms of law enforcement, the Maha Kumbh Mela district will be equipped with a comprehensive security infrastructure to manage the expected surge of devotees. The district will include 56 police stations, 155 police posts, a dedicated cyber cell police station, a Mahila (women’s) police station, and three water police stations, ensuring both land and water-based security operations are covered.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Kumbh) Rajesh Dwivedi highlighted that these provisions would enable the police to address various safety and security concerns during the Mela. Special attention will be given to managing crowd control, preventing crimes, and ensuring the safety of pilgrims, including women and children.
Infrastructure and Amenities for Pilgrims
The Maha Kumbh Mela district will also focus on improving the overall experience for the pilgrims by enhancing facilities and infrastructure. The authorities are making provisions for sanitation, medical services, food stalls, and temporary accommodation for the millions who will gather at the event. Pilgrims will also have access to easy transportation services, including special buses and trains that will run during the Mela period.
Key Dates and Pilgrim Participation
The Maha Kumbh Mela will begin on January 13, 2025, coinciding with the auspicious Paush Poornima. The festival will conclude on February 26, 2025, with the Maha Shivaratri celebrations. During this period, millions of devotees, sadhus, and seers from various Akharas (Hindu religious orders) will converge in Prayagraj to take part in the sacred ritual of taking a holy dip in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati rivers.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is considered one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, drawing pilgrims from all parts of India and abroad. The temporary district will serve as a critical framework for managing the religious and administrative needs of such a vast gathering.
Temporary Nature of the District
Once the Maha Kumbh Mela concludes, the temporary district will cease to exist, just as it did after the 2019 Kumbh. Mela Adhikari Vijay Kiran Anand confirmed that the district will be dismantled after the festival ends on March 31, 2025, as it is created solely for the duration of the Mela. This temporary administrative setup will enable the government to focus on both short-term needs during the Mela and long-term infrastructure development in Prayagraj.
The creation of the temporary Maha Kumbh Mela district is a significant move in ensuring that the 2025 festival is managed efficiently and effectively. With a robust administrative, security, and infrastructure framework in place, Prayagraj is preparing to host millions of pilgrims and make the event a spiritually enriching experience. The move underscores Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to delivering world-class facilities and services for both domestic and international pilgrims during one of the most important religious events in India.
