changeadminWhile the preparations for the MahaKumbh 2025, the world’s largest religious gathering, are in full swing, including cultural events, accommodation, security, and logistics across Prayagraj, the city will also play host to Green Mahakumbh.
The Green Mahakumbh will set a powerful narrative of environmental protection alongside culture and spirituality.
To further the cause, the authorities have developed forests at various locations, to ensure pure air and a healthy atmosphere for the millions of devotees expected to visit the city.
Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has planted trees at more than 10 locations in the city, covering an area of 55,800 square meters over the past two years.
About Kumbh Festival
The Maha Kumbh Mela (festival), a sacred congregation that unfolds every twelve years, is more than just a vast gathering—it is a profound spiritual journey rooted in ancient Hindu culture.
This sacred festival, the world’s largest collective act of faith, symbolizes self-realization, purification, and the eternal quest for enlightenment. Millions of ascetics, saints, spiritual seekers, sadhus, and pilgrims from diverse backgrounds unite in devotion, embodying the essence of human spirituality.
Millions of pilgrims participate in the Kumbh bathing ritual by taking a dip in the river at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the River Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati.
Performing this sacred ritual following the belief that by submerging oneself in the holy waters, one is purged of all their sins, releasing themselves and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth and ultimate attainment of Moksha.
The festival is celebrated over 30-45 days, with multiple events as each of them aligns with specific astrological positions of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter, marking the holiest time in Hinduism. Blending astronomy, spirituality, rituals, and cultural traditions, the Kumbh Mela is a timeless testament to faith and knowledge.
Celebrated four times over 12 years, the Kumbh festival rotates between four sacred sites in India: Haridwar on the banks of the Ganges, Ujjain along the Shipra, Nashik by the Godavari, and Prayagraj on the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati.
Prayagraj has drawn people from across the globe for centuries, including scholars, travellers, and spiritual seekers. This sacred land, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers unite, serves as a spiritual magnet for millions seeking divine blessings and salvation.
Prayagraj, the epicentre of Mahakumbh, is a city steeped in history and spirituality. The city’s significance as a pilgrimage site, aptly named ‘Tirthraj’ or the King of Pilgrimage Sites, is well documented in ancient texts and travelogues.
All across the city, Akhara camps are established where spiritual seekers and ascetics gather to discuss philosophy, engage in meditation, and share their wisdom. Pilgrims can explore these camps to engage in enlightening conversations and witness the ascetic lifestyle up close.
The Chinese traveller Xuanzang, who visited India in the 7th century, described Prayagraj as a region of immense natural beauty, prosperity, and cultural depth. His observations about the Triveni Sangam and the rituals performed there resonate with the spiritual fervour of Maha Kumbh.
Xuanzang’s writings highlight the Triveni Sangam as a meeting point of faith and community. He described the grand festivals held in Prayagraj, attended by over 5,00,000 people, including rulers and wealthy merchants, who bathed in the sacred waters and donated generously.
This tradition continues to thrive, as millions gather at the Sangam to cleanse their souls and partake in an ancient ritual that transcends time.
This year, Mahakumbh in Prayagraj is weaving a powerful narrative of environmental protection alongside an amalgamation of culture, spirituality and knowledge.
Green Mahakumbh in Prayagraj
On 31st January, the city will host Green Mahakumbh, bringing together more than 1,000 environmental and water conservation workers from India.
This unique event is part of the Gyan Mahakumbh (Knowledge Mahakumbh) – 2081 series, organized by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath serving as its chief patron.
As part of the Green Mahakumbh, a national-level discussion will focus on issues related to nature, the environment, water and cleanliness. Experts will share their insights and experiences on maintaining the balance of the five elements of nature and addressing the challenges they face.
Additionally, discussions will explore ways to raise awareness among Mahakumbh visitors about environmental protection and cleanliness, and the campaigns being undertaken to promote these efforts.
Pursuing the vision of a Clean Mahakumbh, government agencies, public representatives, and local citizens are working together to ensure the success of this historic event.
As part of this initiative, the Swachhata Rath Yatra was launched on the 7th of January in Prayagraj to promote cleanliness and raise public awareness, drawing significant community participation.
The Swachhata Rath Yatra was launched to ensure Prayagraj reflects a spirit of cleanliness for the devotees and tourists attending Mahakumbh. With the Mahakumbh Nagar route passing through the city, the initiative aims to maintain a pristine environment for the millions of visitors expected during this grand event.
Citizens were urged to avoid littering, use dustbins, and refrain from using single plastic. The event received enthusiastic support from the local population, with many including children actively participating.
Street play artists carrying dustbins of different colours performed alongside the chariot, spreading awareness about proper waste segregation by using separate dustbins for wet and dry waste.
Adding to the message, a cleanliness-themed music band performed throughout the Yatra, further amplified the call for maintaining a clean Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh. Many Safai Mitras (sanitation workers) and Municipal Corporation staff also actively participated, emphasizing the importance of their role in keeping the city clean.
Miyawaki Forests to Enhance Mahakumbh 2025 Green Cover
The tree plantation exercise by Prayagraj Municipal Corporation will further highlight and augment the Green Mahakumbh event. The plantation has utilized the Japanese Miyawaki technique over the past two years to establish multiple oxygen banks.
The largest plantation, with around 1.2 lakh trees of 63 species, has been done in the Naini industrial area, 27,000 trees from 27 different species have been planted in Baswar after cleaning the city’s largest garbage dumping yard. This project not only helps to get rid of industrial waste but also reduces dust, dirt, and bad odour.
These efforts will contribute to improving air quality, playing a crucial role in environmental conservation. Miyawaki forests have many benefits, such as reducing air and water pollution, preventing soil erosion, and increasing biodiversity.
According to Dr N.B. Singh, a former Botany professor at Allahabad Central University, the rapid growth of dense forests using this method helps reduce the temperature difference between day and night during summer. These forests also boost biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and create habitats for animals and birds.
Additionally, large forests developed through this technique can lower the temperature by 4 to 7 degrees Celsius, offering significant environmental benefits.
The project includes a wide variety of species, ranging from fruit-bearing trees to medicinal and ornamental plants. Key species planted under the project include mango, Mahua, neem, peepal, tamarind, arjuna, teak, tulsi, amla, and ber.
Additionally, ornamental and medicinal plants like hibiscus, Kadamba, Gulmohar, jungle jalebi, bougainvillaea, and Brahmi have been incorporated. Other species include Sheesham, bamboo, Kaner (red and yellow), Tecoma, kachina, mahogany, lemon, and drumstick (Sahjan).
Ancient Trees at Prayagraj
Prayagraj is also famous for two ancient trees, Akshayavat, a Banyan tree which is believed to it will result in the fulfilment of their wishes and the Baobab Tree, one of the oldest trees in India.
Both these ancient trees are located close to Sangam.
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