2013 Prayag Kumbh Mela

2013 Kumbh Mela was held at convergence place of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, as once in 12 years event as a 55 day event had attracted around 80 to 100 million visitors. It has a significance of being held once in 12 year period in Hindu Mythology as its believed that the battle for nectar between Gods and Demons lasted for 12 years. This event is also held in the cities of Haridawar, Ujjain and Nashik in a cyclic order with another city holding the event next time.

Significance

Kumbh Mela 2013 was held for 55 days as a once in 12 year event which was attended by around 80 to 100 million pilgrims.
Kumbh Mela 2013 had the message "Did you clean your hands with Lifebuoy" in the 2.5 million chapatis served during the period.

Area

Kumbh Mela 2013 was spread across 23.5-square-kilometer area and was held from 14 January 2013 to 10 March 2013.

Case study

Kumbh Mela 2013 Mela was taken as case study by Harvard University as it was considered as World's Largest Public Gathering.

Cost of infrastructure

Kumbh Mela 2013 costed Rs 1300 crore for various infrastructure projects.

Pollution

Kumbh Mela 2013 is believed to have raised pollution levels in the convergence of Rivers Ganga and Yamuna as around 8 million people took bath.

Stampede

During Kumbh Mela 2013 there was a stampede tragedy in which 36 people were killed on the auspicious day of Mauni Amavasya.