Prayagraj serves over 64 crore Maha Kumbh devotees with unwavering spirit

Devotees gather to take a holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of Maha Shivratri during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on February 26. (Courtesy: PTI photo)

Over 64 crore devotees from across the globe have so far visited the Maha Kumbh, one of the largest religious gatherings, in Prayagraj which kicked off on January 13.

Despite weeks of relentless traffic congestion, and the sheer magnitude of the crowd, the city embraced the occasion and devotees with an open heart. For over 45 days, Prayagraj ensured the smooth functioning of the Mela, offering food and shelter to the devotees.

The city, which has a population of 15 lakh, faced logistical challenges in terms of transportation as well as healthcare yet it continued to welcome crores of devotees with a smile.

The prolonged traffic jams and roadblocks due to the daily influx of devotees resulted in difficulty in commuting for the locals. Many had to abandon their cars for weeks, switching to two-wheelers or shared transport to commute.

"Traffic jams were not just on major roads but even in narrow lanes and secret routes that only locals knew of, but the residents readily helped visitors find the shortest routes to the mela area," said a Chowk resident told the Times of India.

Shopkeepers and traders faced significant losses due to supply disruptions. The city also witnessed a dip in the number of local customers. Despite personal setbacks, they kept serving the pilgrims.

"Stock shortages affected us, but we ensured no one left Prayagraj hungry. On every major 'snan' day and even on smaller religious occasions, we arranged food for devotees passing through Civil Lines," said Prayagraj Vyapar Mandal president Sushil Kharbanda, as quoted by TOI.

Temporary food stalls and makeshift kitchens were common sights, with locals offering free meals and water to the devotees of Maha Kumbh which culminates today.

As the demand for medicines and emergency aid surged, healthcare services in the city also came under pressure. "We did our best to help the pilgrims by organizing medical camps and running free OPDs," said Dr. Neelam Shukla.

Even university students, whose academic schedules were disrupted, contributed to the city's hospitality. Allahabad University hostels became makeshift lodging spaces for visiting relatives and friends.

The Uttar Pradesh government said the total number of visitors to the fair exceeds the population of all countries in the world except India and China, both of which have populations exceeding a billion.