Global fascination: Why researchers from western universities flock to Mahakumbh

Every 12 years, the city of Prayagraj in India, transforms into a colossal congregation site, hosting the Mahakumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world. This event, deeply rooted in Hindu tradition, attracts nearly 400 million pilgrims, a staggering number that dwarfs the city’s resident population of approximately 5.5 million.

The Mahakumbh has deep spiritual meaning, but what really stands out is how well the event is organized. This impressive coordination grabs the attention of researchers and academics around the world.

From Harvard to the London School of Economics, and from Kyoto University to Indian Institutes of Technology, scholars from diverse fields converge on Prayagraj to study the myriad aspects of the Mahakumbh.

The event presents a unique living laboratory to explore subjects ranging from crowd management and urban planning to public health and environmental sustainability.

This unique confluence of faith and festivity has increasingly piqued the interest of scholars and researchers worldwide, particularly from prominent institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, the London School of Economics, and Kyoto University. But what exactly draws these academics to the banks of the river Ganga?

The Mahakumbh Mela's logistical feats are nothing short of miraculous. In preparation for the event, a temporary city spanning 24 square miles emerges, equipped with essential services such as sanitation, healthcare, transportation, and security.

This ephemeral city boasts a 400-km road network, 30 pontoon bridges, and a water supply system powered by 85 borewells and 1,250 km of pipelines. These infrastructures not only ensure the wellbeing of millions of pilgrims but also provide a living laboratory for researchers in fields ranging from urban planning and public health to environmental sustainability.

Economic and social impacts: A focus for global studies

The state government of Uttar Pradesh has recognized the potential of the Mahakumbh Mela as a research hub, encouraging academic institutions to study various aspects of the event. These include the economic impact of the Mela, crowd management techniques, socio-cultural dynamics, and waste management systems.

This initiative aims to generate comprehensive research papers that could help refine future events, highlighting the economic contributions of pilgrim expenditures and state investments in infrastructure.

Several prestigious academic institutions have been actively involved in researching the Mela, employing a combination of on-ground studies, data collection, and interdisciplinary analysis to draw meaningful conclusions.

Harvard University

Harvard University’s involvement with the Mahakumbh Mela is perhaps one of the most well-documented academic interests in the event. In 2013, a team of Harvard researchers, including public health experts and engineers, studied the event’s infrastructure and its capacity to handle massive crowds without major health outbreaks. One of the most notable findings was the sheer scale and efficiency of the crowd management system, which handled up to 30 million pilgrims in a single day.

• Crowd Management Insights: Harvard’s team analyzed the behavior of crowds and the measures implemented to ensure their safety. Their study found that effective use of real-time data, combined with traditional methods such as spatial zoning and emergency response plans, played a significant role in preventing accidents and maintaining order. The Harvard study compared Mahakumbh's approach to that of global events like the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, noting that while the Mela surpassed these events in crowd size, it was managed with remarkable effectiveness.
• Public Health and Sanitation: In terms of public health, Harvard’s research focused on how the authorities maintained hygiene standards. Despite the colossal number of pilgrims, the lack of major disease outbreaks was seen as a key success. The team praised the vaccination drives, water sanitation protocols, and emergency healthcare services for playing a pivotal role in keeping the event free from epidemics.

Kyoto University

Kyoto University, known for its research on sustainable development and environmental management, has conducted several studies on how the Mahakumbh manages its environmental footprint. In 2013, a team of researchers analyzed the event's waste management strategies and sustainability efforts, which have become a focus in recent editions of the Mela.

• Waste Management and Recycling: Kyoto researchers found that the Mahakumbh had one of the largest waste management operations in the world. In 2013, more than 500,000 kilograms of waste were collected each day, but the event’s organizers had a system in place that focused on waste segregation and recycling. The team compared this to other large-scale events, noting that Mahakumbh’s efficiency in managing waste made it a model for future events of its scale. By 2019, more than 60% of the waste generated during the Mela was recycled, a significant improvement over the previous years.
• Sustainability Measures: Kyoto’s studies also focused on the sustainability measures in place during the event, such as water conservation, pollution control, and eco-friendly sanitation practices. With a significant portion of the city being a temporary setup, the management of natural resources is crucial, and Kyoto’s researchers emphasized how the Mahakumbh addressed challenges like water scarcity and air pollution. Their findings have led to recommendations for enhancing these measures in future events, which can be adapted to other large-scale gatherings globally.

London School of Economics (LSE)

The London School of Economics (LSE) has focused on the economic impact of the Mahakumbh Mela, particularly how such an event generates substantial revenue for the region while also benefiting local businesses. Economists and sociologists at LSE have examined how the Mela contributes to the local economy and the livelihoods of millions of people.

• Economic Contribution: LSE’s research in 2013 estimated that the Mahakumbh contributed over $5 billion to the local economy. This was derived from pilgrim spending on transportation, food, lodging, and religious offerings. Local businesses, from small shops to large-scale vendors, see a significant boost in revenue during the event. The economic impact of the Mela is not only seen in Prayagraj but also in surrounding areas where pilgrims travel and spend money before and after the Mela.
• Social Benefits and Employment: In addition to the direct economic benefits, LSE researchers noted that the Mahakumbh also provides substantial employment opportunities. The event generates jobs in construction, hospitality, transportation, and sanitation services. It is estimated that the Mahakumbh creates over 1 million temporary jobs every time it takes place, offering a major source of income for many.

Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), particularly IIT Kanpur and IIT Roorkee, have been instrumental in researching the Mahakumbh’s infrastructure and technological integration. These studies focus on how cutting-edge technology is used to manage resources, monitor safety, and streamline logistics.

• Data Collection and Real-Time Monitoring: IIT Kanpur’s research has contributed to the development of a real-time data collection system that tracks crowd density, traffic flow, and resource allocation. In 2019, IIT Kanpur implemented a system that utilized GPS devices and mobile data to monitor pilgrim movements and send out warnings in case of overcrowding. This initiative led to an increase in overall safety and efficiency.
• Engineering Challenges: IIT Roorkee’s engineers have focused on the temporary infrastructure set up for the event, including the construction of roads, bridges, and sanitation facilities. In 2019, IIT Roorkee conducted an extensive study on the structural integrity of temporary bridges, ensuring they could support the heavy foot traffic and occasional vehicular movement. Their research resulted in improvements in bridge design and construction methods, making the structures safer and more durable.

University of Delhi

The University of Delhi, particularly its Department of Sociology and Anthropology, has played a significant role in studying the cultural and social aspects of the Mahakumbh. Researchers here have focused on how the event serves as a microcosm of Indian society, drawing people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and regions.

• Rituals and Pilgrim Behavior: In-depth ethnographic studies have been conducted to explore the personal and communal rituals performed by pilgrims. Researchers documented pilgrim behavior, motivations, and the social dynamics at play during the event. These studies highlight the significance of the Mela in fostering social bonds and reinforcing collective identity among participants.
• Cultural Integration: Researchers from the University of Delhi have also looked at how the Mahakumbh serves as a melting pot of cultures. Pilgrims from different parts of India, and even abroad, come together to perform rituals, exchange ideas, and share experiences. This interaction, according to the studies, plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage while promoting modern values of unity and integration.

Lessons from the Past: Harvard's Take on Mahakumbh 2013

Harvard University's study of the 2013 Mahakumbh Mela offers profound insights into the event's administrative and logistical prowess. The research culminated in the publication "Kumbh Mela: Mapping the Ephemeral Megacity," which lauded the event as a benchmark in temporary urban management.

The book drew comparisons to major international events like the FIFA World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, noting the superior organization and execution of the Mahakumbh despite limited resources and the challenges of India's bureaucratic framework.

A significant focus for researchers has been the public health aspect of the Mahakumbh Mela. Harvard's FXB Center for Health and Human Rights mapped patterns of disease, water distribution, sanitation, and disaster management. Despite the vast crowd, the Mela has historically managed to prevent major outbreaks, a testament to meticulous planning and robust healthcare infrastructure.

Future Research Directions

Looking ahead, the Mahakumbh Mela offers untapped research potential in various domains. Fields like big data analytics can revolutionize crowd management, while sustainable practices could further enhance waste management systems. The involvement of institutions like AIIMS and IITs indicates a growing interdisciplinary approach to studying the Mela, combining technology with traditional knowledge systems.

The Mahakumbh Mela stands as a global classroom, attracting researchers eager to learn from its successful management of the world’s largest gathering. By bridging academic inquiry with practical administration, the event not only reinforces India's capability in organizing mega-events but also contributes to a broader understanding of human dynamics in large congregations.