‘Maha Kumbh’: A Political Project for UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
Asia News Agency
The ‘Mahakumbh 2025’ (see box) has not only elevated the spiritual prestige of Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) but also given a significant boost to the city’s economy. The 45-day-long event proved especially beneficial for the hospitality sector, including the hotel and restaurant industry, as well as tour operators and retail traders.
The economic impact is expected to extend further, stimulating growth in real estate, automobiles, electronics, and luxury goods sectors due to the increased disposable income of city residents. Experts estimate that ‘Mahakumbh’ could enhance Prayagraj’s economy by an impressive 200 per cent to 300 per cent .
In alignment with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision, the surge in spiritual tourism is thus, likely to continue benefiting Prayagraj’s economy even beyond the event. During the 45-day ‘Mahakumbh’, over 66 crore devotees visited the city, resulting in immediate profits of 30 to 40 times for businesses dealing in grains, vegetables, mattresses, furniture, tents, and more. Boatmen, auto-rickshaw drivers, hawkers, and merchants in the ‘Sangam’ area also reported substantial earnings.
Potential of religious tourism: The development of religious tourism, according to Arvind Kumar (Visiting Lecturer in Politics & International Relations at the University of Hertfordshire, UK) “has the potential to economically uplift poverty-ridden eastern UP, provided the government shifts its attention toward under-utilised Buddhist religious sites.” Being home to many religious sites, Uttar Pradesh is benefiting the most from religious tourism. The Uttar Pradesh government reportedly allocated Rs 7,500 crore for the Maha Kumbh, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the event would bring more than Rs 3 lakh crore to Uttar Pradesh’s economy.
Reinforces Adityanath’s political dominance
But more importantly, the ‘Maha Kumbh’ has not only reinforced Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s political dominance in the state but has also positioned him as a key contender to Narendra Modi.
The scale of the ‘Maha Kumbh’, with its staggering claim of 66 crore attendees, provided the UP CM with an unparalleled stage to solidify his image as a leader deeply embedded in Hindu religious sentiment. Unlike past ‘Kumbh Melas’, which were largely seen as spiritual gatherings, The Statesman writes “this edition bore the unmistakable imprint of a political project aimed at reinforcing the chief minister’s brand. His near-daily presence ensured that devotees associated the seamless administration of the event with his leadership, bolstering his image as a decisive ruler. This development is significant because it marks a departure from the BJP’s traditional leadership dynamics.”
The ‘Maha Kumbh’
The ‘Kumbh' is an important Hindu pilgrimage, celebrated approximately every 6 or 12 years, correlated with the partial or full revolution of Jupiter. A ritual dip in the waters marks the festival. It is also a celebration of community commerce with numerous fairs, education, religious discourses by saints, mass gatherings of monks, and entertainment. The seekers believe that bathing in these rivers is a means to atonement, penance for past mistakes, and that it cleanses them of their sins.
Every 144 years, a special ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ takes place. Associated with Hindu mythology, where nectar of immortality (Amrit) spilled at four locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. Among them, Prayagraj is the most sacred due to the confluence of three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati.
Amit Shah vs Yogi Adityanath
Among the other potential contenders, is Union Home Minister Amit Shah, PM Modi’s most trusted lieutenant. He remains powerful within the party’s organisational framework. However, The Statesman writes “his influence is largely derived from his proximity to the prime minister rather than an independent mass base. Unlike Mr Modi, who built his career as the unchallenged leader of Gujarat before stepping onto the national stage, Mr Shah does not command a state of his own. This distinction is crucial, as the BJP’s rise has in recent times been driven by leaders who have proven their mettle through state-level governance before making the national leap….”
In contrast, Adityanath “has cultivated a personal following that extends beyond party structures. His aggressive governance style, emphasis on law and order and staunch Hindutva positioning, have made him a rallying figure for a section of the BJP’s base. More importantly, his control over Uttar Pradesh ~ the state that sends the highest number of MPs to Parliament ~ gives him strategic leverage. While the Modi-Shah duo remains the fulcrum of the BJP’s national leadership today, the emergence of a leader with an independent power base within the party could signal friction ahead….”
