Amit Pandey
The Mahakumbh, held from January 13 to February 26, 2025, was a grand spectacle that blended spirituality, politics, and commerce. This 45-day religious gathering, attended by an estimated 60 crore people, sparked a nationwide debate. While some glorified the event as a spiritual renaissance, others questioned its extravagant nature, the financial implications, and the logistical challenges it posed.
The presence of high-profile dignitaries, including the President of India, state chief ministers, cabinet ministers, and corporate magnates, added layers of complexity to the event. While some viewed their participation as a sign of reverence towards India’s cultural heritage, skeptics argued that it was a calculated political move aimed at appeasing the religious electorate. Corporate honchos, too, found their place in the religious proceedings, with many taking a holy dip in the Ganga, supposedly to cleanse their sins. However, their involvement raised concerns about whether faith was being commodified for commercial and political gains.
A particularly contentious issue was the role of Bollywood celebrities, whose enthusiastic participation prompted speculation. Were they attending out of personal faith, to remain in the good books of the ruling establishment, or simply to enhance their media visibility? Their presence coincided with concerns raised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and other environmental bodies about the deteriorating water quality of the Ganga. These agencies warned that bathing in the river could lead to dermatological diseases, yet no mass health crisis was reported. This led many to believe that faith had once again overshadowed scientific caution.
Despite the government’s declaration that Mahakumbh was a grand success, the event was marred by several mishaps. Two stampedes occurred, traffic congestion paralyzed major routes, and pollution levels soared. While the government celebrated the massive revenue generated from tourism and religious activities, critics pointed out the hidden costs: schools were forced to shut down, civic amenities were overburdened, and local communities bore the brunt of the disruptions.
Moreover, the presence of self-styled godmen and ascetics, including Chidanand Muni, highlighted the event’s transformation into a lobbying ground. Babas and munis, revered by millions, held court with their disciples, attracting political and business interests alike. This gave rise to questions about whether Mahakumbh was still a purely spiritual gathering or had evolved into an arena where religion, politics, and business intersected.
The deeper philosophical debate surrounding the Kumbh was the age-old conflict between pap (sin) and punya (merit). Millions of devotees took the holy dip in the hope of spiritual redemption, reinforcing the belief that sins could be absolved through faith. This belief system remains deeply ingrained in Indian society, despite the march of scientific reasoning. The sacrifices made by local residents, who endured chaos while welcoming visitors with open arms, underscored the people’s resilience and unwavering faith in tradition.
Ultimately, Mahakumbh 2025 was not just a religious event; it was a reflection of contemporary India—where faith, commerce, politics, and media converge. It raised important questions about the future of such gatherings: Are they primarily spiritual experiences, or have they become instruments of political and economic maneuvering? While faith may have prevailed over science, the debate over its larger implications will continue long after the last devotee has left the sacred banks of the Ganga.
Religious Experts Raise Concerns
The rebranding of Kumbh 2025 as ‘Maha Kumbh’ has sparked a major controversy, with Shankaracharyas and Hindu scholars warning against the dangerous precedent of altering a sacred tradition for administrative or electoral objectives. The Kumbh Mela, deeply rooted in Hindu cosmology and scriptures, follows a fixed 12-year cycle, with the Maha Kumbh occurring only once every 144 years. By labeling the 2025 event as a Maha Kumbh, the government is accused of distorting this sacred timeline, raising concerns among religious leaders and scholars who argue that such an arbitrary reclassification threatens the sanctity of the tradition.
Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, has strongly criticized the move, stating, “This is not just a matter of semantics. It is an alteration of a religious tradition that has stood the test of time.” This concern is echoed by many within the Hindu religious community who view the decision as an attempt to exaggerate the event’s importance and justify massive state expenditure. Reports indicate that the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated an unprecedented budget of over ₹4,200 crore for Kumbh 2025, a sharp increase compared to the ₹4,200 crore spent on the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, which itself was controversially elevated to the status of a full Kumbh. Such financial commitments, coupled with the rebranding effort, have led critics to question whether religious traditions are being reshaped to serve political narratives and economic interests rather than spiritual and cultural authenticity.
Swami Anand Giri, a well-known spiritual leader from Prayagraj, has voiced similar concerns, stating, “The sanctity of the Kumbh should not be tampered with for political or economic gains. The government must respect religious traditions and not alter them to fit a particular narrative.” His statement reflects growing dissatisfaction among religious leaders, who fear that repeated interference in the Kumbh cycle could erode public trust and diminish the spiritual significance of the event. The Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, the apex body of Hindu ascetics, has also raised objections, warning that altering religious customs for administrative convenience could set a precedent where political authorities dictate religious events according to their agenda.
This controversy is not new. The 2019 Kumbh, previously designated as an Ardh Kumbh, was rebranded as a full Kumbh by the state government, triggering similar protests. The 2025 event follows the same trajectory, leading to speculation that electoral considerations are influencing religious events, especially with the general elections scheduled the same year. Critics argue that while infrastructure development and investment in pilgrimage sites are necessary, they should not come at the cost of distorting centuries-old religious traditions.
Administrative Failures and Public Outrage
Despite the grand promises of a seamless and well-organized Kumbh, the event has been marred by logistical failures that have turned the religious spectacle into a nightmare for millions of devotees. Overcrowding has led to multiple near-stampede situations, with authorities struggling to control the massive influx. Temporary structures, including bridges and pandals, have collapsed under excessive pressure, exposing the poor planning behind the arrangements. The deteriorating sanitation facilities have worsened conditions, with large sections of the pilgrimage site turning into breeding grounds for disease. This raises serious concerns about the government’s preparedness, especially given the staggering expenditure allocated to the event.
One of the most glaring failures has been the inadequate power supply and frequent water shortages, making even basic survival a challenge for pilgrims. Reports indicate that thousands have been forced to wait in long queues for essential services, and the lack of proper crowd management has only added to their ordeal. Emergency medical services, meant to handle such a large gathering, have repeatedly failed to respond swiftly to distress calls. Senior IPS officer Arvind Kumar, who is overseeing security arrangements, acknowledged the crisis, admitting, “Managing such an enormous gathering is a logistical challenge, but the scale of mismanagement this year has been unprecedented.” His statement underscores the systemic failure at the heart of the administration’s handling of Kumbh 2025.
The mismanagement has triggered criticism not only from religious leaders but also from political figures who accuse the state government of prioritizing optics over ground realities. Former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav questioned the intent behind the extravagant spending, stating, “If thousands of crores can be spent on branding an event, why can’t basic facilities be ensured for the devotees who actually make the Kumbh what it is?” His remarks resonate with many who see the event as yet another example of governance that prioritizes spectacle over substance. The allocation of over ₹4,200 crore—surpassing the previous Kumbh’s budget—was meant to ensure a world-class experience, yet pilgrims have been met with crumbling infrastructure and chaos.
The larger concern is the pattern of neglect that has characterized such mega-events in recent years. The 2019 Kumbh saw similar issues, yet lessons were not learned. The state’s relentless focus on rebranding this Kumbh as a ‘Maha Kumbh’ seems to have overshadowed the more pressing need for efficient logistics and basic services. Religious scholars and devotees alike now question whether such an event, meant to be a spiritual gathering, is instead being transformed into a political and financial enterprise at the cost of public welfare.
Political and Economic Dimensions of Kumbh 2025
The Kumbh has always been more than just a religious gathering—it is an economic powerhouse that drives tourism and commerce. However, the overt commercialization of Kumbh 2025 has drawn criticism from various quarters. The heavy involvement of corporate sponsors and real estate developers has raised concerns about whether the spiritual essence of the event is being sacrificed for business interests.
Political commentators argue that Kumbh 2025 has been used as a strategic platform for electoral gains. With elections looming, ruling party leaders have made grand appearances at the event, using the religious gathering as a stage to showcase their governance. Political analyst Alok Verma noted, “The timing of Kumbh 2025 and the branding around it clearly indicate a calculated move to leverage faith for political mileage.”
As Kumbh 2025 progresses amid controversy, the question remains—has the event become a tool for political spectacle rather than a true spiritual gathering? While the government insists that its efforts aim to enhance the grandeur of the Kumbh, religious leaders and scholars warn against the distortion of traditions for commercial and political benefits.
The debate over Kumbh 2025 is far from over. Whether it will be remembered as a milestone in Uttar Pradesh’s cultural history or as an event marred by mismanagement and controversy will depend on how these issues are addressed in the coming weeks. What remains undisputed, however, is that the sanctity of India’s most revered religious congregation must not be compromised for the sake of temporary gains.
( Author is Managing Editor of The Emerging World)
