Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Flight, Hotel Rates Soar as Prayagraj Braces for Over 450 Million Devotees

As Prayagraj gears up for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, scheduled from January 13 to February 26, the massive influx of devotees and tourists is driving flight and hotel prices to unprecedented levels. This year’s event, a once-in-a-144-year gathering, is expected to attract over 450 million pilgrims, making it one of the world’s largest religious gatherings and a logistical spectacle of unmatched scale.

Soaring Flight Prices as Demand Peaks

With millions traveling to Prayagraj for the holy event, airfares have surged dramatically. One-way tickets from Mumbai on January 12 are priced near ₹30,000, while travelers from Bengaluru on January 11 are seeing fares exceed ₹22,000. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced 20 new flight connections to help meet the surge in demand.

Leading airlines are expanding services to Prayagraj:

• IndiGo is offering direct flights from Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.

• SpiceJet will connect Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad to Prayagraj.

Despite these additions, limited seats are driving up prices, and travelers may need to book early or explore alternate routes to secure more affordable options.

Hotels and Tents See Steep Rate Hikes

Accommodations in Prayagraj have become another significant challenge. The surge in demand has pushed hotel prices to as high as Rs 40,000 per night, creating affordability concerns for many pilgrims. To mitigate the accommodation crunch, the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated 4,000 hectares of land — more than double the area used in the 2013 Purna Kumbh — for temporary housing solutions.

Authorities are preparing to set up 1.5 lakh tents and 25,000 additional accommodations, including luxury tents and budget-friendly lodgings. An entire tent city, featuring modern amenities, will be mapped on Google Maps to aid navigation for visitors.

Infrastructure Boost and Economic Windfall

The Prayagraj airport is undergoing a major upgrade, with a new terminal being developed to handle 2,700 passengers per hour. These enhancements are part of a broader infrastructure investment of Rs 5,496 crore, significantly higher than the spending on previous editions of the event.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is also a financial boon for the region, with an estimated Rs 25,000 crore in revenue expected to be generated across sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and tourism.

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The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is shaping up to be a historic event of faith, tradition, and economic significance. However, skyrocketing costs for travel and accommodations may challenge pilgrims seeking to experience this rare spiritual gathering.