Kumbh Mela, the Hindu festival celebrating the revolutions of Jupiter, sees millions of devotees flock to riverside pilgrimage sites in India to ritually bathe in the waters. The exact dates of the festival are based on astrological calculations. It is primarily celebrated every 12 years, with every 144 years representing a particularly auspicious event. Kumbh Mela celebrations span 45 days and are the world’s largest gatherings of people. The 2025 Prayag Kumbh Mela began on January 13, 2025, and will end on February 26, 2025.

This year’s event is unique because it falls on the 144-year cycle of the alignment of the constellations, making it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Hindus to make the sacred pilgrimage. As with any large gathering of people, security and safety are of great importance. There have been several stampedes at past Kumbh Mela events, the worst of which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 500 people in 1954. With the uniqueness of this year’s festival, the government of India is blending the ancient traditions of Kumbh Mela with advanced modern technology to keep people safe.

India expects more than 400 million people to come to Uttar Pradesh, the northern Indian state hosting the festivities along the Triveni Sangam in the city of Prayagraj. The state will employ more than 45,000 police officers. The officers will be based out of at least 55 police stations and a central command station. These police stations are equipped with AI-enhanced monitoring systems connected to thousands of CCTV cameras. Water towers have been erected for use by some 2,000 firefighters who will have access to 351 firefighting vehicles and additional safety equipment. And, for the first time at a Hindu gathering in India, the Uttar Pradesh government will utilize a range of drones to provide extra surveillance coverage.

Drones were first used to survey the Sangam to map the festival grounds into manageable regions consisting of 25 sectors within 10 zones. These drone surveys have allowed officials to properly allocate resources throughout the festival grounds. Police officers will also use 10 strategically placed tethered drones to observe devotees from above. Because these drones are tethered, they can provide surveillance 24 hours a day for the length of the festival. Additionally, organizers will deploy a fleet of underwater drones to monitor safety in the Sangam.

As the most pivotal location of the festival, security within the waters of the Sangam is of particular importance. Previously, water safety relied on police and other emergency personnel visually inspecting the water. Now, with advancements in drone technology, Uttar Pradesh has access to drones that can dive up to 330 feet to see clearly what officers on the riverbanks cannot. These drones are also powered through a tether, allowing them to provide a constant stream of security.

Aerial drone footage from the second day of the festival revealed a massive crowd along the riverbank. The drone footage showed an estimated 35 million people waiting their turn to ritually bathe in the water. With so many people descending upon Uttar Pradesh, other events besides religious rites have been planned for the crowds. One such event was a drone show presented after dark on January 24, 25, and 26 within sector 7 of the festival grounds.

Though the drone show was launched from within sector 7, it was still visible to surrounding areas, viewed by millions of people over the three days. The drone show served as a symbolic bridge between the ancient rites bringing people together for Prayag Kumbh Mela and the modern technology enabling the safe, massive gathering. The entire show was set to traditional and spiritual Indian music.

The beginning of the drone show started with what looked like an undulating mass of swirling colors, almost like an aurora borealis. The drones then went on to animate different images related to the cultural significance of the Prayag Kumbh Mela. As the 2025 Prayag Kumbh Mela continues, it serves as a powerful reminder of the intersection between ancient traditions and modern technology. The integration of cutting-edge innovations, such as AI and drones, ensures that this historic event remains both safe and accessible for millions of devotees.

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