The grand Kumbh is underway in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, drawing visitors not just from across India but from around the globe. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate soon, with a visit scheduled for February 5th. Additionally, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will join the festivities on February 1st.
President Murmu to Grace the Kumbh
The nation's President, Droupadi Murmu, is also set to visit the Kumbh in Prayagraj. Sources indicate her participation on February 10th.
On January 27th, Home Minister Amit Shah is set to make an appearance at the Kumbh. His detailed schedule includes a bath at Sangam, Ganga worship, and strategic meetings with officials. With Amit Shah's arrival imminent, the UP police and security agencies are on high alert.
Estimated 450 Million Devotees
An estimated 450 million devotees are expected to take a holy dip. But how is such a monumental crowd count measured? This raises questions on the estimation method or if precise techniques are applied. Today, we delve into the technology used to tally attendees at the world's largest religious gathering.
How is the Crowd Counted?
Kumbh 2025 has unique significance, coinciding with a rare alignment occurring every 144 years, following 12 complete Kumbhs. Thus, it's dubbed as the 'Maha Kumbh,' anticipating unprecedented visitor numbers. To manage the influx, the UP government employs advanced tools, such as AI-based cameras, for counting attendees.
A special team named the 'Crowd Assessment Team' has been activated to provide real-time attendance tracking using AI-enabled cameras. These scan faces, estimating hourly and daily participant numbers across the fairgrounds. Currently, 1800 such cameras are operational throughout the event area. Additionally, this team uses drones to ascertain crowd density and determine daily attendee counts, including those who bathe at the Sangam.
