- Home
- slideshows
- miscellaneous
- Kumbh 2019: 14 spectacular photos from India’s legendary Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious festival
Kumbh 2019: 14 spectacular photos from India’s legendary Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious festival
From 15 January to 4 March, nearly 130-140 million visitors, pilgrims, and foreign tourists will flock to the Ardh Kumbh or ‘half’ Kumbh, held every six years in one of four cities in Northern India.
![Kumbh 2019: 14 spectacular photos from India’s legendary Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious festival](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-67536662%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-1774394%2Fkumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The fair is a fascinating spectacle and is remarkable for the sheer number of people who gather for weeks at the same place
![The fair is a fascinating spectacle and is remarkable for the sheer number of people who gather for weeks at the same place](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535515,width-700,height-525,imgsize-42428/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
twitter/dominaterohan
twitter/dominaterohan
In 2013, Harvard University made a corporate case study to understand the logistics and economics behind the Maha Kumbh fair
![In 2013, Harvard University made a corporate case study to understand the logistics and economics behind the Maha Kumbh fair](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535441,width-700,height-525,imgsize-222742/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
Twitter/bhaktisarovar
Twitter/bhaktisarovar
The Kumbh is famous for Hindu saints or saffron-clad ‘Sadhus’ who use the occasion for ritual holy dips in the river Ganga.
![The Kumbh is famous for Hindu saints or saffron-clad ‘Sadhus’ who use the occasion for ritual holy dips in the river Ganga.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535382,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1568920/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
IANS
This is also the occasion when hundreds of semi-naked, ash-covered holy men known as ‘Naga Sadhus,’ followers of Hindu deity Shiva, are seen during the fest.
![This is also the occasion when hundreds of semi-naked, ash-covered holy men known as ‘Naga Sadhus,’ followers of Hindu deity Shiva, are seen during the fest.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535367,width-700,height-525,imgsize-103278/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
Twitter/heijmanes
Twitter/heijmanes
The 55-days long event will be spread across 2,500 hectares on the banks of the Ganges and the Yamuna in Prayagraj.
![The 55-days long event will be spread across 2,500 hectares on the banks of the Ganges and the Yamuna in Prayagraj.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535351,width-700,height-525,imgsize-866536/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
kumbh.gov.in
kumbh.gov.in
The festival is traditionally held at the ‘confluence’ of the three rivers - Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical river Saraswati.
![The festival is traditionally held at the ‘confluence’ of the three rivers - Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical river Saraswati.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535838,width-700,height-525,imgsize-320060/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
twitter/MIB India
This year, the theme of the Kumbh is ‘Swacch Kumbh, Surakshit Kumbh,’ which means ‘Clean Kumbh, Safe Kumbh,’ showing the local government’s backing of this festival.
![This year, the theme of the Kumbh is ‘Swacch Kumbh, Surakshit Kumbh,’ which means ‘Clean Kumbh, Safe Kumbh,’ showing the local government’s backing of this festival.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535314,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1951803/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
IANS
IANS
The Uttar Pradesh government has reportedly spent close to ₹40 billion in this year’s fair. The money is aimed at facilitating the millions of visitors with modern facilities.
![The Uttar Pradesh government has reportedly spent close to ₹40 billion in this year’s fair. The money is aimed at facilitating the millions of visitors with modern facilities.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535295,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1741137/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
IANS
IANS
From setting up 122,000 eco-friendly toilets to five-star tents, a high-tech “khoya-paya kendra” (lost and found), to a network of CCTV artificial intelligence, has reportedly been set up for the mega religious even
![From setting up 122,000 eco-friendly toilets to five-star tents, a high-tech “khoya-paya kendra” (lost and found), to a network of CCTV artificial intelligence, has reportedly been set up for the mega religious even](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535274,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1687768/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
IANS
IANS
The Indian Railways is reportedly ferrying up to 800 special trains during the festival.
![The Indian Railways is reportedly ferrying up to 800 special trains during the festival.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535264,width-700,height-525,imgsize-2139745/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
IANS
IANS
The city of Prayagraj has undergone colourful transformation with its walls and trees taking on different hues
![The city of Prayagraj has undergone colourful transformation with its walls and trees taking on different hues](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535252,width-700,height-525,imgsize-297097/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
Twitter/PrayagrajKumbh
Twitter/PrayagrajKumbh
The festival is also a boon for local businesses that are expecting to make between ₹50,000 to ₹100,000 each during the festivities. Even individual tradespeople like the over 600 boatsmen, who normally earn ₹400 to ₹500 for their trips, are expected to earn up to ₹1,800.
![The festival is also a boon for local businesses that are expecting to make between ₹50,000 to ₹100,000 each during the festivities. Even individual tradespeople like the over 600 boatsmen, who normally earn ₹400 to ₹500 for their trips, are expected to earn up to ₹1,800.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-67535232,width-700,height-525,imgsize-104860/kumbh-2019-business-insider-india.jpg)
Twitter/lakshman1928
Twitter/lakshman1928
Popular Right Now
Advertisement