Tracking Kumbh rush on rails: 36 trains in 1954 to 13k in 2025

The 1954 Kumbh Mela, the first in independent India, attracted about 50 lakh pilgrims; 40 crore visitors are expected at Mahakumbh-2025.

- Kenneth John

PRAYAGRAJ: The Kumbh Mela has grown exponentially in several spheres and this quantum jump in its evolution is no different when it comes to the number trains run for pilgrims.

For instance, the number of trains used for the Kumbh Mela has increased from 36 in 1954 to 13,000 for the Mahakumbh-2025, a 361-fold rise in over 70 years, show documents preserved in the regional archives, Prayagraj.

Independent India's first Kumbh was held in 1954. It had an estimated crowd of 50 lakh (five million) and the number will grow 80 times with over 40 crore (400 million) pilgrims expected at the Mahakumbh-2025.

Documents safeguarded in the archives reveal that the railways operated 36 trains -- 10 regular trains and 26 mela specials, including 13 trains for devotees to assemble at the mela and 13 trains for their safe return post mela.