Travel to Maha Kumbh Mela Becomes Challenging Due to High Demand
Finding a way to travel to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela has become a major challenge for pilgrims, as flight ticket prices have skyrocketed and train bookings are heavily overbooked. Passengers are struggling to secure affordable and convenient travel options for this grand spiritual event.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held in Prayagraj after 144 years, is attracting a massive number of devotees who see it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, the surge in demand has led to a steep rise in travel costs. Flight ticket prices from Hyderabad to Prayagraj are now four times higher than usual, making air travel unaffordable for many.
Currently, only Indigo offers direct flights from Hyderabad to Prayagraj, operating three days a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Typically, flight tickets cost around ₹6,400, but due to the high demand, prices have soared to between ₹25,000 and ₹32,000. Indigo provides both direct and one-stop flights (via Raipur). For example, on January 28, a direct flight costs ₹30,626, while on January 30, prices range from ₹22,822 for a one-stop flight to ₹30,220 for a non-stop flight. For February 4, ticket prices are ₹23,530 for a one-stop flight and ₹26,741 for a non-stop option.
Other airlines also operate flights to Prayagraj, but these usually involve one or more stopovers in different cities, adding to the inconvenience. The high cost of air travel is deterring many passengers from choosing this option.
Train travel is no less stressful. Official sources report that the waiting list for trains to Prayagraj exceeds 100 passengers for the entire month of February. With a journey time of nearly 23 hours, many travelers prefer confirmed tickets, but availability is extremely limited.
To accommodate the rush, approximately 180 special trains have been introduced for the Kumbh Mela, in addition to the regular Danapur Super Fast Express. Recently, the Bharat Gaurav train was also launched for Prayagraj. These special services began on January 8 and are expected to run until the end of February. Despite these efforts, most trains are fully booked, leaving many passengers disappointed.
Traveling by road is another option, but it comes with its own set of challenges. The journey from Hyderabad to Prayagraj is over 1,100 kilometers and can be exhausting. Moreover, private vehicles are not allowed near the Sangam area, forcing pilgrims to walk around 10 kilometers to reach the holy site. This makes road travel a less favorable choice for many.
In summary, the massive rush for the Maha Kumbh Mela has made traveling to Prayagraj a difficult and expensive ordeal for devotees. Whether by air, rail, or road, pilgrims are facing significant hurdles in their efforts to participate in this sacred event.
