The Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, commenced in Prayagraj, India on Monday. This particular event is exceptionally significant as it’s a Maha Kumbh Mela, occurring only once every 144 years. Over 400 million people are expected to attend the 45-day festival, which concludes on February 26.

The festival takes place at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers, a site considered sacred by Hindus. Devotees believe bathing in these waters purifies their souls.

This year’s event is marked by both grandeur and controversy. While the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, invested heavily (over 70 billion rupees) in infrastructure and sanitation, reports indicate that Muslim vendors were barred from setting up stalls and Muslim taxi drivers were allegedly instructed not to transport Hindu pilgrims.

These actions have raised concerns about religious tensions, although senior festival priest Mahant Durganand Brahmachari has called for peaceful coexistence.

Technological advancements are also playing a role, with a Kumbh Mela mobile app and radio frequency wristbands for tracking pilgrims. Drones are being used for security and a light show.

Despite the controversies, the Maha Kumbh Mela remains a significant religious and cultural event of global importance.