Cleansing the Maha Kumbh

The Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj witnessed an unprecedented gathering of faith and spirituality, with over 663 million devotees immersing themselves in the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.

Kumbh Mela festival is the world’s largest peaceful gathering as it draws millions of pilgrims who bathe in sacred rivers seeking to purify themselves from sins and attain spiritual liberation. This year’s Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj was held from 13 January 2025 to 26 February 2025.

While the 45-day event became a symbol of devotion and cultural heritage, it set new benchmarks in environmental sustainability, sanitation and waste management.

As millions of pilgrims participated in bathing rituals, celebrations and other activities, thousands of workers ensured waste management, sanitation and cleanliness in the city. 

The local administration and state government implemented an exhaustive plan to ensure a clean Maha Kumbh. More than 15,000 sanitation workers and 2,000 ‘Ganga Seva Doots’ worked day and night to ensure that the holy rivers and the fairgrounds remained clean and litter free. 

Acknowledging their tireless work, the state government honoured the sanitation workers who played a pivotal role in keeping the Kumbh area clean throughout the event.

In addition, to appreciate the hard work of the sanitation and cleanliness workers, the state government has increased their salary to Rs. 16,000 starting from April 2025 and a bonus of Rs. 10,000.

The consistent efforts of the sanitation workers and the state government led to the Maha Kumbh 2025 setting a Guinness World Record in Ganga Cleaning Drive and Mass Cleaning Initiative, where a record-breaking 329 and 19,000 individuals, respectively, set new benchmarks in mass sanitation and environmental efforts.

With the grand festival coming to an end, the focus has shifted towards an equally monumental task—restoring the city and ensuring the pristine condition of the Kumbh area. Cleaning the Maha Kumbh site, after it hosted one of the largest human congregations in history, required an extraordinary effort.

Recognizing this, the state government swiftly initiated a comprehensive sanitation campaign. A special 15-day cleanliness drive was launched to restore the Kumbh Mela area to its original purity. Thousands of sanitation workers, along with dedicated volunteers, took up the massive challenge of cleaning the riverbanks, roads, and temporary settlements.

As the cleanup drive continues, the administration and environmentalists have urged people to pledge their commitment to maintaining the sanctity of these sacred waters.

A local official overseeing the sanitation drive remarked, “The Maha Kumbh may be over, but its message of cleanliness and reverence for our environment must continue. It is our collective duty to ensure that our rivers remain pure and free from pollution.”

Beyond just collecting waste, the cleanup campaign focused on systematic waste disposal, dismantling temporary infrastructure, and restoring the ecological balance of the region.

Some of the efforts will include – 

• Dismantle temporary toilets: Over 1.5 lakh portable toilets installed for the event were systematically removed.
• Manage waste effectively: Garbage collected from the Kumbh area was transported to the Baswar plant in Naini for proper disposal.
• Restore essential infrastructure: The temporary pipelines and streetlights installed for the Kumbh were carefully removed, ensuring that the site was returned to its original state.
• Clear makeshift settlements: Tents and pandals set up for sages and pilgrims were dismantled, making way for the natural beauty of the region to resurface.

As the city transitions back to normalcy, the lessons learned from this historic congregation will serve as guiding principles for future mega-events.

The dedication towards cleanliness and preservation of cultural heritage will continue to inspire efforts to keep Prayagraj and its sacred rivers clean for generations to come.

In the end, the Maha Kumbh was not just about a spiritual confluence; it was also a testament to human resilience, responsibility, and the collective spirit of maintaining a cleaner and more sustainable environment. As devotees carry the memories of their sacred journey, the city of Prayagraj stands rejuvenated, ready to welcome the next chapter in its rich and timeless history.