PANAJI
The UP government collaborated with the tourism ministry and corporate giants to turn the event into a showcase of modern India. Foreign visitors including high-profile names like Laureen Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, have flocked to the event, seeking spiritual solace and immersion in Indian culture.
According to industry estimates, the Maha Kumbh could generate revenues of Rs 1.2 lakh crore and boost India’s GDP by over 1 percent while the UP govt estimates that Maha Kumbh may generate Rs 2 lakh crore in trade if each of 40-45 crore visitors spends an average of Rs 5,000.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), one of India’s most famous temple trusts, seized the opportunity by constructing a replica of the Tirumala Temple, giving devotees a chance to experience its sanctity without traveling to Andhra Pradesh.
India Tourism Bengaluru, the official handle of ITB under the Ministry of Tourism, GoI, invited all to experience a spiritual journey like no other, announcing, “Mark your calendars for the auspicious dates of the sacred snan in the holy waters of the Sangam during Kumbh Mela 2025.”
Comparatively, Goa saw a more subdued affair although the organizational setup was applauded by everyone. Despite being one of the most revered Christian pilgrimages, the digital savvy displayed by Uttar Pradesh was missing.
However, Messias dismissed comparisons between the SFX Exposition and the Maha Kumbh citing the vastly different scales and audiences of the two events. “The Maha Kumbh attracts a much larger number of (Hindu) devotees than the SFX Exposition,” he added.
