Data experts converge on Sangam City to record mega fair's unfolding

Over its 45-day course, Mahakumbh-2025—held at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna (and the mythical Saraswati)—is expected to attract 300 to 400 million people from India and abroad, the state government estimates.

- Anupam Srivastava

LUCKNOW: This gathering of diverse people, bound by faith, but coming from different classes of society—both Indian and foreign—presents a unique opportunity for statisticians, data scientists and researchers—both Indian and foreign—to collate this information. Indeed, from the confluence of faith will flow streams of knowledge and information as these scholars from almost two dozen institutions from India and abroad will approach the Mahakumbh from standpoints of anthropological studies, economic, socio-cultural issues to technology, environment, urban planning, transport and many more.

Top universities Leading institutions are involved in this research. One of the top universities of the country, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) will focus on the socio-cultural manifestations and the economic impact of the Mahakumbh. Delhi University will study the fair's philosophical and unifying dimensions, including the collective consciousness, ritual practices, and national identity. Our own Lucknow University will undertake an anthropological study of pilgrimage and sacred geography, mapping the transient metropolis created by the Kumbh Mela. Ahmedabad University will study the event through ethnographic accounts.

The IIMs Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore will focus on identifying best practices in strategic planning and management strategies for the efficient organization of the event.

IIM Ahmedabad will study the multifaceted impacts of the Mahakumbh, religious rituals to its broader societal effects.