The 2025 Mahakumbh Mela, one of India's largest religious festivals, is witnessing significant price hikes for pilgrims as record attendance is reported. With over 60 crore devotees already taking the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, officials anticipate this figure may surpass 65 crore before the festival concludes on February 26. The situation has garnered attention for the exorbitant costs associated with travel and accommodation during the festivities.
A survey conducted by LocalCircles revealed startling figures, showing 87% of air passengers traveling to Prayagraj experienced inflated ticket prices, paying between 50% and 300% more than usual. Drawing responses from over 49,000 participants across India, the survey highlighted the frustrations of worshippers encountering soaring costs as they made their way to this sacred event.
Among those surveyed, 13% claimed they paid regular airfares, but contrastingly, 38% indicated surcharges of 50% to 100%, 25% reported fare increases of over 300%, and 12% experienced up to 200% surcharges on their tickets. This trend is not isolated to flights; accommodation and local transport saw similar spikes.
Regarding lodging, 67% of respondents who stayed at hotels or rental properties reported paying more than typical rates. While 26% claimed to have paid standard prices, the survey revealed 18% endured increases exceeding 300%. For example, regular hotel rates jumped from ₹2,500-3,000 during the Kumbh to ₹6,000-7,000, hitting over ₹22,000 during peak days. Private tents, typically priced at ₹15,000, surged to ₹45,000 per night.
The accommodation crisis reflects the patterns seen across transportation services where charges also inflated substantially, particularly during auspicious days when thousands gather. About 66% of pilgrims utilizing local transport and boat rides faced hikes of 50-300%. These increases have prompted many to voice their concerns about exploitation and affordability.
Notably, the discussions around rising airfares drew attention to Parliament, with MP Pramod Tiwari accusing airlines of preying on the religious sentiments of the public, labeling their actions as 'looting.' Highlighting specific examples, one-way fares from cities like Chennai skyrocketed to ₹53,000, with Kolkata fares reaching ₹35,000 and those from Delhi and Mumbai hitting ₹47,500. The inflated prices occurred even as Tiwari challenged the Civil Aviation Minister's claims of supply and demand, stressing the ethical responsibilities of carriers during such significant events.
Beyond the national spotlight, the Mahakumbh's allure appears to attract international interest. Travellers from cities across the globe, including Dubai and Singapore, have reportedly begun searching for flights to Prayagraj, coinciding with the most auspicious bathing dates.
The atmosphere during the Mahakumbh Mela offers both fervent faith and frustration, where the spirit of pilgrimage meets the harsh reality of rising prices. Devotees from varied backgrounds gather, yet the economic burden of participating raises concerns about accessibility for many. The need for regulatory measures to prevent price gouging during such religious events is becoming increasingly evident.
Overall, as the Mahakumbh Mela approaches its conclusion, the juxtaposition of sacred traditions and the commercialization of faith presents complex challenges needing urgent attention. Solutions might range from stricter regulations for transport and accommodation providers to humanitarian initiatives aimed at making the festival more accessible to pilgrims from all walks of life.