The 45-day Mahakumbh celebrations in India after 144 years, apart from being a spiritual and religious spectacle, highlighted how digital technologies can be put to optimum use.
Modern technologies are transforming the management of such mega events, seamlessly integrating artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and digital platforms to augment the experience for the pilgrims. The arrangement of AI-powered CCTV cameras and facial recognition systems boosted the surveillance efforts, facilitating the government machinery to monitor crowd concentration and detect irregularities in real-time.
Augmented security
Drones to avoid potential security threats, augmented security measures through aerial perspectives. With technological innovations, monitoring crowd flow and congestion levels have become feasible for instant interventions.
Predictive analytics have been employed to forecast crowd flows, allowing authorities to execute proactive strategies. The application of RFID wristbands streamlined tracking of devotees, ensuring that movement within the site was observed efficiently. For vehicle supervision, e-passes were issued to control traffic congestion. These technological interventions cohesively have attempted to deliver a safer experience to the pilgrims.
Health services remain one of the major issues in religious places. To address this, telemedicine and mobile clinic services were available at the Mahakumbh .
Wearable health monitoring devices further enhance medical readiness by tracking the vital signs of the elderly and high-risk individuals. IoT-enabled dustbins and AI-driven waste segregation systems enable efficient and sustainable waste management. Interestingly, these smart dustbins will alert the government machinery when full, confirming timely disposal and keeping hygiene. Eco-friendly initiatives have significantly lessened plastic waste. In addition, smart water management systems are preventing wastages and, at the same time, supplying clean water to the devotees.
The Mahakumbh spiritual gathering turned into a hub for economic activity as well, promoting local craftspeople and businesses.
The integration with UPI-based payments ensured the financial exchanges were cashless, seamless and secure. Also, digital marketplaces were set up to showcase traditional handicrafts to global audiences.
The e-commerce within the mela venue helped pilgrims have easily access to essential services including accommodation bookings. These digital establishments are paving the way for financial inclusion and empowerment of small business units during spiritual gatherings.
For the large of number of devotees who were unable to attend the mela in person, the authorities arranged 360-degree virtual tours. They could witness the grandeur of the event from the luxury of their drawing rooms. And to make it more interesting and engaging, augmented reality-based cultural storytelling was also in progress in full swing. This e-storytelling provided the pilgrims an immersive experience of historical and mythological events of significance.
In the age of digital media, the importance of social media in amplifying the celebrations cannot be underestimated. Live streaming of the event on YouTube and Facebook did wonders in terms of allowing millions to participate in the spiritual experience virtually.
As technology continues to progress, events such as the Mahakumbh are increasingly becoming immersive and inclusive.
The combination of AI, IoT, VR, and digital platforms is not merely enhancing logistics but also preserving tradition while embracing modernity.
Chakraborty is an Associate Professor at School of Management, Presidency University, Bengaluru; Biswal is an Associate Professor at Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar
