The Mahakumbh Mela, considered the world’s largest religious gathering, is one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages, attracting millions of devotees and travellers worldwide. Held once in 144 years in Prayagraj, it is literally a once-in-a-lifetime moment that one gets to experience. It is believed to be a time of spiritual purification and divine blessings where participants are cleansed of their sins, liberating them and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth.
However, the legitimacy of the Mahakumbh as being purely a religious event is being challenged and questioned if it has transformed into a socio-political and commercial spectacle. While it undoubtedly holds spiritual significance, its massive scale, government involvement, and commercialization raise concerns about its true essence.
Although Mahakumbh holds immense religious value, its growing commercialization cannot be swept under the rug. The 2025 Mahakunbh has become a massive economic enterprise, attracting sponsors, businesses, and even political parties. Vendors selling religious artefacts, hotels offering special packages, and luxury tents for VIP pilgrims have changed the simple and ascetic nature of this auspicious event.

Religious tourism has also surged, with travel agencies offering premium Mahakumbh experiences, including guided tours, exclusive bathing spots, as well as helicopter rides over the sacred rivers. These services, catering to the affluent, have raised the question of Mahakunch becoming more about profit than true religious devotion. Media coverage adds to this equation by shifting the focus from personal spiritual journeys to mass viewership and entertainment.
Investing crores of rupees in 2025, the government has made the Mahakumbh a stage for political agendas. Due to the sheer size of visitors, this money is put into infrastructure, sanitation, and security for the relatively smooth functioning of the events. However, the outbreak of fire and stampede clearly show the futility of these measures. The government’s involvement is thus reduced to political gain rather than religious purposes.
There are environmental challenges as well, such as waste management and river pollution. Proper disposal of waste is already a problem for India, so it is unfortunately a given that in a heavily crowded place, it is virtually impossible to manage waste responsibly. Also, people bathing in river bodies in huge numbers are bound to make the rivers contaminated with dirt, germs, and several other pollutants. The irony is that while devotees seek purification through a holy dip, the same act contributes to pollution, raising questions about the sustainability of the event.
Despite these concerns, Mahakumbh remains a powerful symbol of cultural unity. It brings together people from all walks of life- rich and poor, young and old, Indian and foreign, developing a sense of community, devotion, and shared faith that transcends social and economic differences. The international media coverage helps to highlight India’s cultural diversity and how India’s economy is strong enough to sustain an event on a grand scale never done before.
While Mahakumbh continues to be a profound religious event for millions of Hindus, its increasing commercialization, political involvement, and environmental impact raise valid concerns about whether it still holds its original spiritual purity. For some, it remains a deeply personal and religious experience, a moment of spiritual renewal. For others, it has become a grand cultural spectacle, a mix of faith, politics, and business. Perhaps the true essence of Mahakumbh lies in the eyes of the beholder- whether one sees it as a sacred pilgrimage or a festival of economic and political interests.

Let us know your thoughts about the Mahakumbh Mela and its leftover religious spirit in the comment section below. If you have any burning opinions or ideas to share, feel free to contact us at larra@globalindiannetwork.com.