The Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj is an unparalleled global event expected to welcome nearly 400 million pilgrims this year. With participation from over two dozen prestigious universities, including Harvard and Stanford, researchers will study its effective management and infrastructure. This temporary metropolis will feature extensive amenities like roads, bridges, and a robust surveillance system. Studies will focus on economic impacts and crowd management, showcasing India's remarkable capabilities in organizing large-scale gatherings while highlighting areas for future improvement.
The Mahakumbh Mela is an extraordinary global event, unmatched in its size and scale. Set to take place in Prayagraj, a bustling city with a population of 5.5 million, this year's Mela is expected to attract nearly 400 million pilgrims, surpassing the 250 million attendees of 2019. This remarkable festival occurs every 12 years, coinciding with a unique alignment of the sun, moon, and Jupiter.
In an exciting development, more than two dozen prestigious universities and research institutions from around the world will converge in Prayagraj during the Mela to explore various aspects of this monumental religious gathering. Renowned institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, and the London School of Economics, along with esteemed Indian universities like AIIMS and IITs, are sending faculty, researchers, and students to observe and study this incredible event.
Researchers are particularly intrigued by the effective management of this massive gathering, which is executed with minimal disruptions or incidents.
The Mahakumbh will transform into a vibrant temporary metropolis, constructed from tents, pontoons, and bamboo structures, accommodating millions of pilgrims. This temporary city will be meticulously organized, featuring spatial zoning, infrastructure supply lines, and food distribution networks.
A robust infrastructure plan has been put into place, including a 400-km-long temporary road network, 30 pontoon bridges, and an extensive 1,250-km-long water supply pipeline sourced from 85 borewells. Additional provisions include 200 water-vending machines, 96 power substations, and 67,000 streetlights, along with a comprehensive surveillance system featuring 2,750 CCTV cameras.
"For the first time, we would have institute-backed studies on the economic impact, crowd management, socio-cultural manifestations, food distribution chains, and more," an official involved with the Mela shared. The state government has identified eight areas for research, allowing scholars to gain insights that will enhance future events. This proactive approach to inviting researchers marks a significant shift, aimed at gathering valuable data that can lead to improvements.
The research will be categorized into two primary areas: planning and implementation of the Mahakumbh, and assessing its economic impact. By evaluating the spending patterns of tourists and the investments made by the government, researchers hope to gain deeper insights into the Mela's overall significance.
A recent publication by scholars from Harvard University highlighted the effective organization of the 2013 Mahakumbh, noting that it surpassed even the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in terms of management. The book, titled Kumbh Mela - Mapping the Ephemeral Megacity, commended the event's success despite the challenging backdrop of India's bureaucratic hurdles.
The publication emphasized the exceptional achievement of building a temporary yet intricate infrastructure over a 24-square-mile area, likening it to a city that would host millions for 45 days.
John Macomber, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, noted that their research focused on valuable lessons in administration and infrastructure design. A team of medical professionals from Harvard was equally impressed by the event's organization and health management, particularly the absence of major outbreaks.
Dr. Satchit Balsari, who led the team, acknowledged the efficiency of the systems in place while also identifying areas for improvement. He highlighted the potential for even better management through minor adjustments.
The Mahakumbh Mela not only serves as a spiritual confluence but also as a remarkable case study for scholars and researchers, showcasing India's capacity for large-scale event management and community engagement.
Comments