Skift Take
The money from the pockets of Indian devotees is overflowing from the donation boxes in temples and spilling onto the travel industry. Hotels, airlines, and travel agencies are all placing their faith in the business of religion.
Picture this: A sea of 50 million people, all accumulated in an area of 4,000 hectares for one purpose – to celebrate the holy Hindu gathering of Mahakumbh 2025. In its 45-day run, the once-in-144-years festival was visited by over 660 million devotees, well above projections for 400 million.
For 24-year-old Kaustubh Kambiri, the trip to Mahakumbh was an opportunity to visit the historic festival, as well as explore the diverse culture that finds its roots in the Indian hinterlands.
Kambiri went to Prayagraj for the festival and combined it with visits to Lucknow, Varanasi, and Ayodhya.
“I met people from all walks of life during the visit to Mahakumbh, and then at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It was a great way to get a glimpse into the diversity within India, a truly immersive travel experience that went beyond just spirituality."
Mahakumbh is just one example of a trend that has emerge
