Tag Archives: Prayagraj

Preparations in full swing for Maha Kumbh 2025

Paytm offers discounts on bus & flights for pilgrims of Maha Kumbh 2025

One 97 Communications Limited (OCL), which owns the brand Paytm, through Paytm Travel, is offering exclusive discounts on bus, flight, and train bookings to Prayagraj, along with exciting chances to win free flight tickets. These initiatives are designed to make the journey comfortable, convenient, and memorable for pilgrims attending this sacred gathering.

In support of pilgrims making this sacred journey, Paytm Travel is offering exclusive promotions. Senior citizens can avail a 10% discount on flights by using the promo code “SENIORKUMBH,” ensuring a comfortable and affordable travel experience. Families and friends travelling to Prayagraj can book three flight tickets using promocode ‘FLYKUMBH’ to get the fourth ticket free. Pilgrims can also engage with the ‘Spin the Wheel’ feature on the Paytm app for a chance to win a free flight ticket to Prayagraj. These offers are valid throughout January 2025, making travel more affordable and convenient for those attending this sacred gathering.

The majority of travellers prefer train journeys, and for them, Paytm offers its innovative Guaranteed Seat Assistance feature, integrated with IRCTC. This simplifies ticket booking by ensuring a confirmed seat. Pilgrims can select their preferred train options and enjoy a smooth, hassle-free travel experience.

Vikash Jalan, CEO – Paytm Travel, said, “MahaKumbh Mela is a sacred and transformative experience that unites millions of people in a remarkable celebration of faith and devotion. We are deeply moved by the dedication of our fellow Indians who travel from far and wide to honor this cultural tradition. We are grateful to the government for providing extensive travel solutions and prioritising the comfort of pilgrims. It is our privilege to support pilgrims on their spiritual path.”

Air India is on an expansion spree, in India and abroad.

Air India to operate daily flights on Delhi-Prayagraj route for Maha Kumbh 2025

Air India will temporarily operate daily flights between Delhi and Prayagraj during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, the world’s largest spiritual gathering.

To meet the high travel demand, Air India will operate the route from January 25 to February 28, 2025. With these flights, Air India brings the only full-service flying option between the two cities for customers, offering them the choice of premium cabins in addition to Economy Class.

With convenient daytime departures in both directions, the flights enable seamless connections via Delhi to customers travelling to/from various parts of India as well as North America, Europe, Australia, and several countries in Southeast Asia.

Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents.

 

SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS BETWEEN DELHI AND PRAYAGRAJ
Period Flight # Frequency Sector Departure Arrival
25 Jan – 31 Jan 2025 AI2843 Daily Delhi-Prayagraj 14:10 15:20
AI2844 Daily Prayagraj-Delhi 16:00 17:10
01 Feb – 28 Feb 2025 AI843 Daily Delhi-Prayagraj 13:00 14:10
AI844 Daily Prayagraj-Delhi 14:50 16:00

Prayagraj likely to see 45 cr devotees this year

 

The historic Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is set to witness a massive influx of over 45 crore devotees this year. Preparations are in full swing for the grand event, which will run until February 26, 2025. The Shahi Snan, or royal bathing rituals, will take place on auspicious dates, including January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).

A multi-layered security system, dubbed “impenetrable security chakravyuh,” has been implemented around Prayagraj to safeguard key locations such as temples and akhadas. Mock drills are being conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Police in collaboration with the ATS, NSG, and PAC to ensure preparedness.

Advanced technology is playing a vital role in maintaining security at the event. A total of 2,700 AI-enabled cameras have been installed around the Kumbh area, while 113 underwater drones are being deployed to monitor waterways. This ensures a robust surveillance system for the safety of devotees.

The Maha Kumbh, celebrated every 12 years, holds immense spiritual significance as it marks the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. The grand event is a symbol of faith, attracting millions of pilgrims from across the globe.

‘Incredible India pavilion, luxury tents, enhanced connectivity’: Govt plan to boost tourism for Mahakumbh 2025

The Mahakumbh, held every 12 years, will take place from January 13 to February 26, 2025 in Prayagraj.

An ‘Incredible India Pavillion’ showcasing cultural heritage and significance of the Kumbh Mela, luxury tents and enhanced air connectivity, the Ministry of Tourism is beckoning people to visit Prayagraj and explore the mega cultural congregation that begins from today.

Expected to host over 40 crore devotees from across the globe, this 45-day festival from January 13 to February 26 is also expected to draw a large number of tourists and cultural aficionados aiming to explore what is billed as one of the largest religious gatherings on earth.

he government on Sunday said the Ministry of Tourism is set to make the Maha Kumbh this year a “landmark event” not only for spiritual gatherings, but also for global tourism.

The Ministry is rolling out several initiatives to celebrate this momentous occasion, aimed at boosting both domestic and international tourism with the Maha Kumbh – held every 12 years – set to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions.“To ensure seamless travel for tourists attending the Maha Kumbh, the Ministry of Tourism has partnered with Alliance Air to enhance air connectivity to Prayagraj from multiple cities across India. This will facilitate easier access for domestic and international visitors, allowing them to reach the event with ease and convenience,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry also shared a schedule of flights operating from multiple cities, including New Delhi, Kolkata, Jabalpur and Dehradun, as per this partnership.

The Ministry also said it is “setting up an ‘Incredible India Pavillion’, a sprawling 5,000 sq ft space at Maha Kumbh”, which will facilitate the foreign tourists, scholars, researchers, photographers, journalists, expat community and Indian diaspora members among others.
The pavillion will offer “an immersive experience” for visitors, showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and the significance of the Kumbh Mela. The pavilion will also feature the ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Poll’, allowing visitors to vote for their favourite tourism destinations in India, it said.

Besides, the ministry has collaborated with key tourism stakeholders like the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC), IRCTC and ITDC to offer a range of “curated tour packages and luxury accommodation options”.

The ITDC has set up 80 luxury accommodations at the tent city, Prayagraj, while the IRCTC is also providing luxury tents to accommodate the influx of pilgrims and tourists.

These packages will be available in a digital brochure, which has been widely circulated to Indian Missions and India Tourism offices for greater amplification, the Ministry said.

To cater to the specific needs of foreign tourists, social media influencers, journalists and photographers attending the Maha Kumbh, the Ministry of Tourism has set up a dedicated toll-free Tourist Infoline (1800111363 or 1363), the statement said.

Besides English and Hindi, the toll-free infoline is now operating in ten international languages and also in Indian vernacular languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese and Marathi, it said.

The service will provide assistance, information and guidance to make the experience smoother and more enjoyable for international visitors.

The Ministry has launched a major social media campaign to generate buzz about the upcoming Maha Kumbh. Special hashtags such as #Mahakumbh2025 and *#*SpiritualPrayagraj are being used to encourage people to share their experiences and moments from the event.
Social media contests, collaborative posts with organisations like the ITDC, Uttar Pradesh Tourism and other organisations, will amplify the visibility of the event and invite people to witness this spiritual extravaganza, the Ministry said.

“To capsulise this rare opportunity, the Ministry of Tourism will undertake a large-scale photoshoot and videography project to capture the grandeur and spiritual essence of the Maha Kumbh. The visuals will be shared widely across international and national media platforms, showcasing the grandeur of the Maha Kumbh and highlighting the tourism potential of Prayagraj as a spiritual and cultural destination,” it said.

 

India’s strength & cultural excellence at display during Maha Kumbh: Shekhawat

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said that the world will have a glimpse of India’s strength and cultural excellence at the upcoming Maha Kumbh that will be held in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district from January 13 to February 26.

Speaking to the press, Shekhawat said, “The history of Maha Kumbh is thousands of years old. Maha Kumbh has been mentioned in Vedic period as well as in Mahabharata, during Gupta Empire, Chalukya dynasty and in the pages of medieval history.”

According to the Union Minister, when Kumbh was held in 2013, around 20 crore devotees came for holy dip and darshan. In the Ardh Kumbh of 2019, the number of devotees increased to 25 crore and this time, it is estimated that 45 crore people will participate in the Maha Kumbh, Shekhawat said adding that the Uttar Pradesh government and Centre are working together on a large scale to make this a grand event.

The number of Kalpavasis coming to the Maha Kumbh is set to double from 10 lakh to 20 lakh, he said. The Kalpavasis will stay at the mela ground for the entire period and perform meditation.

The Union Minister asserted that the Ministry of Culture has prepared various platforms to display Indian culture at the Maha Kumbh. The Uttar Pradesh government has provided 14 acres of land to the Ministry, where handicrafts, culture and dishes from all the provinces will be displayed. Famous artists across the country will perform at the Maha Kumbh and handicraftsmen will display their skills. “This time the Maha Kumbh will be an opportunity for the world to see the strength and cultural power of India together,” he said.

UP to host ‘Heritage Conclave’ on Dec 7

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department will host a ‘Heritage Conclave’ in Lucknow on December 7 in an attempt to “unlock the economic and cultural potential of the state’s heritage properties”, officials said.

Nearly 250 prominent hoteliers, investors, real estate professionals, and consultants from across the country will attend the event where they will engage with at least 60 members from erstwhile royal families who own some of the region’s most iconic heritage properties.

The state government plans to transform the forts, palaces, and mansions into heritage hotels, wedding destinations, wellness centres, resorts, and cultural hubs while preserving their original architecture, features, and historical essence, it is learnt.

The initiative, if successful, could position UP as a premier destination for heritage tourism, attracting travellers from India and around the world, an official said.

State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said Uttar Pradesh has emerged as one of the fastest-growing states in the tourism sector in the recent years.

In 2023, the state welcomed over 48 crore tourists, with destinations like Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura, and Prayagraj being the most popular attractions, he said.

“The state has an immense potential for heritage tourism having a large number of forts, palaces, and mansions. By promoting these heritage sites, the state can attract even more tourists. Following the example of states like Rajasthan and Gujarat in heritage tourism, the UP Tourism Department is gearing up to make similar development here,” the Minister said.

Under the initiative, the Tourism Department recently leased six properties—Chunar Fort in Mirzapur, Baruasagar Fort in Jhansi, Chattar Manzil in Lucknow, Barsana Mahal in Mathura, Shukla Talab in Kanpur Dehat, and Roshan-ud-Daula in Lucknow — on public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The department will sign memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for these properties during the Heritage Conclave. The department is also preparing to develop other properties on a similar model. The government, Minister Singh said, also aims to develop and repurpose numerous properties owned by royal families across the state.

(Source: The Indian Express)