The Economic Impact of Kumbh Mela on Uttar Pradesh: A Multidimensional Empirical Analysis

Abstract

The Kumbh Mela, a significant Hindu pilgrimage held periodically in Uttar Pradesh (UP), India, is one of the largest gatherings of people in the world. This study employs a mixed-methods approach to assess the economic impacts of the event, emphasising tourism, job creation, infrastructure development, and environmental externalities. Utilising secondary data from government reports, Reserve Bank of India bulletins, and NGO surveys, alongside primary interviews with key stakeholders, the paper quantifies the direct, indirect, and induced economic effects through input-output modelling. The findings reveal that the 2019 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela generated ₹1.2 lakh Crore (approximately $16 billion) in business revenue, created around 600,000 temporary jobs, and stimulated ₹4,500 Crore (approximately $600 million) in long-term infrastructure investments. However, the environmental costs—amounting to ₹200 Crore (about $27 million) for waste management—and the socioeconomic disparities in the distribution of benefits highlight the pressing need for policy reform. This study contributes to the existing literature on event economics by proposing a sustainability index for mega-events and advocating for technology-driven public-private partnerships (PPPs).