A recent survey commissioned by the Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture has revealed that a single pilgrim attending the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh spent an estimated Rs 5,877.63 during the event.
The survey, which analyzed spending patterns, found that 41.11% of expenses were allocated to travel, 16.64% to accommodation, 11.24% to food, 11.08% to religious items, 2.13% to entertainment, 7.42% to shopping, and 10.38% to other miscellaneous expenses.
Given the massive footfall of 66 crore pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh, this translates into an estimated total economic impact of Rs 3.88 lakh crore. Reacting to these findings, Thakur Jaiveer Singh, the Minister for Tourism and Culture, stated: "It is evident that the Maha Kumbh contributed immensely to the state's economy."
The ‘Maha Kumbh Spiritual Survey–2025’ was conducted from January 28 to February 26, 2025, across various locations in Prayagraj, including Teliarganj, Jhunsi, Arail, and Parade Ground. The survey interviewed 3,52,388 pilgrims from around the world, with 1,093 respondents coming from international locations such as the USA, UK, Canada, Nepal, Australia, and Fiji. The survey was led by Deloitte, with support from the All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG).
One of the key findings of the survey was that the spiritual trio of Prayagraj, Ayodhya, and Varanasi emerged as the top tourist destinations for both domestic and international pilgrims.
"It was interesting to note that among previous visits, 27.32% of respondents last visited Ayodhya, 22.68% visited Sangam in Prayagraj, and 8.81% visited Varanasi. Also, for future visits, 32.57% preferred Sangam, 12.46% Ayodhya, and 7.46% Varanasi. In terms of overall favourite destinations, 22.55% chose Ayodhya, 19.96% chose Sangam, and 12.72% chose Varanasi," the officials revealed.
Additionally, the survey explored the travel preferences of visitors, showing a notable difference between domestic and international tourists. While domestic visitors tended to travel with family, foreign tourists favored solo travel. The findings revealed that 40% of Indian tourists visited with family, 30.88% alone, and 29.13% with friends. Among foreign tourists, 55.26% traveled alone, 24.43% with family, and 20.31% with friends.
Tourism Principal Secretary Mukesh Meshram commented, "The findings would be studied in detail by departmental experts, and the learnings from it would be tweaked in future planning."
This comprehensive survey highlights the significant economic impact of the Maha Kumbh and offers valuable insights into the preferences and behaviors of pilgrims visiting one of India’s most iconic spiritual gatherings.