The world's largest religious gathering is a $150 billion business

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The world's largest religious gathering is a $150 billion business
kumbh.gov.in

  • India’s Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 which kicked off on 15 January is reportedly going to get the Uttar Pradesh government a $150 billion return on investment.
  • Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj has already engaged over 600,000 people in commercial activities ranging from hospitality to logistics.
  • This year’s festival has been a boon for local traders as the authorities are expecting 130 million tourists from within the country and outside India.

India’s Kumbh Mela 2019, the world’s largest religious gathering taking place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh is expected to make the local state government as much as $150 billion in revenue, reported Press Trust of India citing the Confederation of Indian Industry, a national trade body.
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Millions of pilgrims both from within the country and around the world visit the festival to take a holy dip at the confluence of three Indian rivers -- the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

Here’s an insight into the economics of the world’s largest religious gathering:

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The world's largest religious gathering is a $150 billion business

The world's largest religious gathering is a $150 billion business


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​Business and Spiritualism at Kumbh

​Business and Spiritualism at Kumbh


The sheer volume at Kumbh Mela means massive business opportunity for local traders. Tourists from several countries including Australia, UK, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, New Zealand, Mauritius, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka are reportedly attending the Kumbh.

​Costliest Kumbh ever

​Costliest Kumbh ever

The Uttar Pradesh government has reportedly spent close to ₹40 billion in this year’s fair which is three times more than the budget of last Maha Kumbh held in 2013. This year’s Kumbh mela is thus the costliest affair for the state government.

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​Increase in employment opportunities

​Increase in employment opportunities

The hospitality sector will employ nearly 250,000 people while the aviation sector both airlines and airports) and tour operators are aiming to employ 150,000 and 45,000 people respectively.

The boost in eco-tourism and medical tourism is likely to have 85,000 workers.

Additionally, other unorganised sectors that employ tour guides, taxi drivers and volunteers, are aiming at generating 55,000 new employment opportunities.

​Employment for over 600,000 people

​Employment for over 600,000 people

Given the scale of the event, Kumbh boasts some impressive economics, employing over 600,000 people, CII said in its report.

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World’s largest temporary city

World’s largest temporary city

Facilitating the massive number of tourists at Kumbh has meant the government of Uttar Pradesh has had to build a new temporary city spanning roads stretching 250 kilometers and 22 pontoon bridges.

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