68 lakh wooden poles, 100 km fabric and 3000 workers: Making of tent city in Maha Kumbh

While the tent city retains its traditional charm, it offers modern luxuries that rival five-star hotels.

Prayagraj's sprawling sands at the Sangam have transformed into a magnificent tent city for the Maha Kumbh 2025. With over one lakh tents ranging from basic to luxurious accommodations, this monumental setup can house more than 20 lakh devotees at a time, making it a testament to unparalleled engineering and tradition.

This year's tent city boasts some staggering numbers. Approximately 68 lakh wooden poles have been used, and their cumulative length (with average length of pole being 10 feet) surpasses the distance between Prayagraj and Washington DC, covering over 20,726 kilometers. An estimated 100 kilometers of fabric was utilized, and 250 tonnes of CGI sheets were used for roofing. 3,000 workers laboring in three shifts for months have crafted these immense resources into structures.

The Vishwakarma of Kumbh

The primary responsibility for this massive endeavor rests with "Lalluji and Sons," a company synonymous with Kumbh Mela preparations for the past 104 years. Building nearly 75% of the tent city, the company has earned the nickname "Vishwakarma of Kumbh." Deepanshu Agarwal, Managing Partner of Lalluji and Sons, explained that though the Mahakumbh Mela begins on January 13, preparations began 18 months ago, involving new tent construction, repair of old infrastructure, and extensive planning.

The work of setting up the tent city is a collective effort of thousands of workers, many of whom are involved in stitching, patching, and assembling the structures. Kuldeep, one of the workers who has been diligently making tents for the past two and a half months, shared his thoughts. “We are using a mix of cotton and terrycot fabric for the tents. We even put a layer of polythene inside to prevent rain from leaking through. It is a lot of work, but we know it is worth it. The pilgrims are going to be comfortable, and that’s what matters.”

For Rambachan, a 60-year-old worker, the Kumbh is not just about a paycheque, but a lifelong calling. “I have been part of this project since the time we used to get only 10 rupees for our work. Now we are earning 500 rupees a day, but the joy of contributing to such a big event is priceless.”

Despite being a 45-day event, setting up the tent city requires six months. This year, delays caused by prolonged monsoons added to the challenges. After the festival concludes, dismantling the structures will take another two and a half months.

Luxury meets tradition

While the tent city retains its traditional charm, it offers modern luxuries that rival five-star hotels. Premium tents are equipped with cozy bedrooms, marble flooring, modern toilets, wooden furniture, and even amenities like DTH connections, heaters, Wi-Fi, and designer interiors. Oil heaters, insulated fabrics, and electrical blankets are also provided to combat the biting cold along the Yamuna's banks.

The Kalpwasis, who will undertake spiritual penance at the Sangam, have 10,000 tents reserved for their stay. They live in simple tents – with tarpaulin cover over their heads, without any luxury. At night they light a bonfire outside the tent where other pilgrims also sit and partake in the discourse.

Raghunath, a 68-year-old Kalpwasi from Rajasthan, was overwhelmed by the grandeur. “I have been coming to the Kumbh for the past 40 years, but I have never seen anything like this before. The tents we have this time are like small homes. There is a heater, a TV, and even a fridge! This is truly a city built for the comfort of the devotees. It’s beyond anything I expected.”

His sentiments were echoed by Sushila, a 50-year-old pilgrim from Varanasi, who marveled at the modern amenities provided. “I used to stay in a simple tent on the sand, but this year, we have everything—cushioned beds, a clean bathroom, and even Wi-Fi! The organizers have really thought about our needs.”

Twice the scale of 2019

This Maha Kumbh spans 3,200 hectares, 800 hectares more than the 2019 Kumbh. Rajiv Agarwal, head of Lalluji Derawala, emphasized that this year's scale is unprecedented, with material use doubling since 2019.

The work this year is monumental, but Rajiv Agarwal insists it is about more than just logistics. “This year, we were responsible for setting up 56 police stations and 144 posts. We are also creating temporary administrative offices and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. We have doubled the amount of material compared to the last Kumbh, but we’ve been preparing for this day for a year and a half.”

For the workers, the journey to this grand occasion is a long and arduous one. “We started working in the Kumbh area in July,” Rajiv said. “Everything has doubled this year—from the number of poles to the fabric we have used. We’ve been sourcing materials from all over the country, but the effort is worth it. This Kumbh will be a spectacle.”

The dedication of workers like Rambachan, a 60-year-old stitching tents for decades, and Kuldeep, who has tirelessly labored for months, highlights the human effort behind this herculean project. For these workers, the Maha Kumbh is not just a job but a legacy of service to an event steeped in spiritual significance.

As the Maha Kumbh 2025 approaches, the tent city stands as a symbol of innovation, tradition, and devotion, ready to welcome millions of pilgrims from across the globe to one of the largest human congregations on Earth.