As preparations for the upcoming Maha Kumbh on the banks of the Sangam gather pace, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has announced an innovative initiative to enlist promising school and college students as guides for the anticipated influx of international tourists.

The tourism department is gearing up to establish contact with select schools in Prayagraj to choose students who have completed class 12 and are proficient in spoken English. According to sources within the department, senior officials will select these students and provide free training to them as guides. The selected students will receive an honorarium, a guide's license, and a certificate for their service during the Maha Kumbh, potentially enabling them to pursue a career in this field in the future if they choose.

"We are excited to provide this opportunity to the talented youth of Prayagraj," said Aparajita Singh, Regional Tourism Officer. "Not only will they gain valuable experience, but they will also play a crucial role in showcasing the rich cultural heritage of our city to international visitors."

Multilingual Training for Student Guides

Sources indicate that 100 students have already volunteered to work as guides for the Maha Kumbh. The department plans to bring in trained guides from Delhi to provide language training to these students, covering foreign languages such as German, French, Russian, and more, to facilitate better communication with tourists.

"We want to ensure that our student guides are well-equipped to handle the diverse needs of international tourists," said Aparajita Singh. "By providing them with language training and guidance, we hope to create a positive and memorable experience for all visitors to the Maha Kumbh."

Maha Kumbh 2025: A Global Attraction

During the previous Kumbh in 2019, out of the 24 crore pilgrims, 25 lakh were international tourists who attended the fair from around the globe. This time, the number is expected to increase. Consequently, this initiative is being undertaken to ensure the adequate availability of guide services.

"The Maha Kumbh is not just a religious event, but also a cultural extravaganza that attracts visitors from all over the world," said Aparajita Singh. "By engaging our students as guides, we are not only providing them with a unique opportunity to showcase their skills, but also contributing to the overall success of this grand event."

Preparations in Full Swing

The Uttar Pradesh government is working tirelessly to ensure that the Maha Kumbh 2025 is a grand success. Key preparations include:

- Arranging accommodations in the Kumbh area and constructing luxury hotels in the city

- Preparing great amenities for visitors attending the large religious gathering

- Constructing a massive tented township, complete with cottages, huts, platforms, civic facilities, and administrative and security measures

- Beautifying 40 roads throughout the district on specific themes to enhance Prayagraj's tourism potential

- Allocating ₹2,500 crore in the state budget for Mahakumbh-2025 preparations.

Maha Kumbh: A Celebration of Faith and Unity

The Maha Kumbh Mela is the largest religious congregation in India, attended by millions. It is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years, to celebrate every revolution Brihaspati (Jupiter) completes, at four river-bank pilgrimage sites: Prayagraj (Ganges-Yamuna-Sarasvati rivers confluence), Haridwar (Ganges), Nashik (Godavari), and Ujjain (Shipra)[3].

"The Maha Kumbh is not just a religious event, but also a celebration of faith, unity, and cultural diversity," said Aparajita Singh. "By engaging our students as guides, we are not only providing them with a unique opportunity to showcase their skills, but also contributing to the overall success of this grand event."

With preparations in full swing and the enthusiasm of the student volunteers, the Maha Kumbh 2025 promises to be a truly memorable event that will attract visitors from all over the world to the holy city of Prayagraj.

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The Maha Kumbh Mela has its roots in Hindu mythology, where it is believed that the gods and demons fought over a pot (kumbh) of nectar (amrit) that had emerged during the churning of the ocean. During the battle, drops of nectar fell to earth at four places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.

These four places are considered sacred and are where the Kumbh Mela is held. The Maha Kumbh Mela, celebrated every 144 years, is the largest gathering, with the previous one held in Prayagraj in 2019 attracting over 24 crore pilgrims, including 25 lakh international tourists.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is a celebration of faith, unity, and cultural diversity. It is organised by the government, local authorities, and police, with the construction of a massive tented township, accommodations, amenities, and security measures.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is renowned for the presence of religious ascetics from remote hideaways and the bathing in the sacred rivers, believed to cleanse sins and grant moksha. It is a testament to the enduring power of Hindu faith and the resilience of Indian culture.