Eco-Friendly Measures in Mega Gatherings: A Case Study of Prayagraj's Maha Kumbhmela, 2025

The 2025 Maha Kumbhmela in Prayagraj, India, stands as one of the world's largest religious gatherings, which attracted 660 million pilgrims across the globe, who were in search of spiritual purification by bathing at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. To accommodate this massive influx, a temporary city spanning 4,000 hectares was constructed, featuring 200,000 tents, 250 miles of roads, and 30 pontoon bridges. Recognizing the environmental challenges posed by such massive congregations, organizers implemented several sustainable practices during the 2025 Maha Kumbhmela and the festival was promoted as the first 'Green Kumbh’ emphasizing sustainability and waste management. Sustainable practices in sanitation and waste management, usage of renewable energy, sustainable transportation, plastic waste reduction, Ganga River conservation, these were the initiatives at Kumbhmela which highlighted the organizers' commitment to environmental sustainability, setting a precedent for ecofriendly practices in large-scale events. On this backdrop, the present manuscript focusses on all the innovative ecofriendly initiatives and practices implemented during the Maha Kumbh mela.