In my 42 plus years heading several international organizations, alongwith my teams i have had the privilege of overseeing and organizing numerous events, functions, employee engagement activities—small, large and complex. From the smallest details to the big picture, every event needs a perfect recipe for success. The effort can be taxing—often involving sleepless nights and endless coordination. However nothing, nothing at all compares to the scale, size and precision of the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
This Mahakumbh Mela is one of the world’s largest gatherings, expected to draw close to 450 million pilgrims and visitors this year. While everything cannot be perfect, and flaws will always be pointed out, i thought it is important to put down some key and pertinent data points, and some key corporate and management takeaways from this mega MICE event – this one being the once in 144 years Mahakumbh Mela. Some may term it spirituality, some may term it religious beliefs and faith, some others may term it religious tourism.
THE FACT IS THAT, LIKE MANY OTHER RELIGIOUS EVENTS ACROSS THE WORLD, THE MAHA KUMBH IS ALSO A REFLECTION OF LIFE’S FLOW, A REMINDER THAT, LIKE THE RIVERS, EVERYTHING CHANGES AND MERGES INTO SOMETHING LARGER.