Sacred confluence, Local Consequences: Assessing the impact of Mahakumbh mela 2025 on the local inhabitants of Prayagraj

The Mahakumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, brings significant cultural, spiritual, and economic attention to the host city of Prayagraj. This paper explores the multifaceted impact of the mela on the local residents through a structured questionnaire-based survey of 100 respondents residing primarily in the Nehru Park and Preetam Nagar areas of the Prayagraj city. The study reveals that while the event enhances the city's infrastructure, boosts tourism, and reinforces its cultural heritage, it simultaneously imposes substantial challenges on the daily lives of its residents. Key findings highlight widespread awareness and participation in the mela, with 81% of respondents having visited the event. However, major issues such as overcrowding, traffic congestion, lack of accessible transport, unpredictable barricading, and inflated prices for essential goods and services were reported by a significant portion of the population. Although 84% of respondents appreciated the support provided by administrative bodies, over one-third felt that local needs were not adequately considered in policy and planning decisions. The mela contributed positively to city development, revenue generation, and social service initiatives, yet its benefits were not evenly distributed among the local population. The study concludes that while the Mahakumbh Mela brings spiritual and developmental gains to Prayagraj, its execution must be made more inclusive and resident-sensitive. It offers policy recommendations aimed at balancing the needs of pilgrims and local inhabitants to ensure more equitable urban planning during future events.