First published in FP Explainers, February 26, 2025, 17:24:53 IST

The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the world’s largest religious gathering, has exceeded 64 crore attendees. Despite the huge crowd and numerous entry and exit points, authorities have managed to provide daily visitor updates. This has been made possible through AI-enabled cameras and CCTV surveillance.

64 crore devotees and counting: How are devotee numbers at Maha Kumbh calculated?

The estimated number of attendees recorded at the Maha Kumbh Mela has exceeded 64 crore. As the 45-day-long religious gathering neared its conclusion, crowds of devotees chanted ‘Har Har Mahadev’ while taking a dip at the Triveni Sangam on Mahashivratri.

The festival, which is considered the world’s largest religious gathering, drew crores of pilgrims from across India and beyond. The estimated number of attendees recorded at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj has exceeded 64 crore. Despite the massive crowds and multiple points of entry and exit, the administration has been able to provide daily updates on the number of visitors taking part. With such a massive turnout, tracking each individual seems nearly impossible.

So, how is it being done? Let’s find out:

How AI has helped manage crowds at Maha Kumbh

From politicians to celebrities, thousands travelled to Prayagraj for a holy dip at Triveni Sangam. To manage the massive gathering, advanced technologies, including AI-enabled cameras and CCTV surveillance, were deployed to track the numbers carefully. A large number of people travelled to Prayagraj for a holy dip at Triveni Sangam. While large crowds have always been a feature of Ardh Kumbh and Kumbh, past events lacked precise methods to count attendees. This time, organisers introduced advanced technology to accurately monitor the influx of pilgrims.

Divisional commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant told The Times of India, “We are utilising AI-driven crowd density calculations for precise attendance figures. The system will generate immediate alerts, enabling officials to count and monitor devotees effectively throughout the event.” The Maha Kumbh Mela began on January 13, 2025, but the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in crowd management started almost a year ago.

According to India Today, the AI models used to assess crowd density were trained on video footage from Magh Mela 2024 to analyse human movement in a similar environment. These advanced cameras were deployed not only for security but also to assist in locating and reuniting individuals who may have been separated in the crowd. For the first time, authorities also introduced underwater drones to monitor the situation in real-time, particularly when millions gathered at the ghats to bathe at the Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers meet.

How AI tracks crowd density & counts individuals

The cameras installed across the city are linked to central servers via an optical fiber network, enabling real-time data transfer. Two AI models work together to process the footage – one estimates the overall crowd density, while the other tracks individual movement.

This raw data is further refined using inputs from facial recognition cameras and then processed through a specialised algorithm. The final, classified data is displayed on a dashboard accessible at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Prayagraj, according to India Today. The system uses virtual parameters at different locations, such as entry and exit points at specific ghats, to promote accurate monitoring and calculations. The total crowd estimate at the Maha Kumbh is derived from processed records, with any discrepancies filtered out by the algorithm.

The AI-driven system relies on two key models: one creates crowd density maps by scanning zones, analysing the number of people per frame, and consolidating inputs from multiple cameras to estimate the real-time crowd size. The other employs cameras at entry and exit points to count each individual crossing designated monitoring areas.

At the heart of this operation are the ICCCs, where teams of police personnel, officials, and experts closely monitor real-time alerts. Their role includes preventing stampedes, responding to barricade breaches, managing traffic, and identifying potential security threats. Large screens display live footage from the ghats, while AI-generated data charts offer instant updates on crowd movements, including entry and exit figures from major access points, TOI reported.

Superintendent of Police and ICCC in-charge Amit Kumar told the publication that AI is playing a crucial role in crowd management. With thousands of cameras monitoring the Kumbh area and the city, the technology is helping on-ground intelligence gathered by law enforcement, railway officials, and the road transport department.

Where else is AI being used at Maha Kumbh?

An AI-powered lost and found center was established to assist those who became separated. The facility provides accommodation, clothing, and food for individuals until they are reunited with their families. Key features of the centre include instant digital registration of missing persons, integration with AI-driven cameras for targeted searches, and the use of facial recognition technology to identify and reconnect individuals.

AI is also improving situational awareness by supporting human efforts in monitoring the gathering. Also, an AI-generative chatbot was introduced to guide visitors to Maha Kumbh Nagar from anywhere in the world. The chatbot provides essential information about food, lockers, washrooms, and changing rooms. A standout feature of the chatbot is its ability to interact with users through both speech and text, offering responses in their preferred language. Beyond answering queries, it helps develop a personal connection and improves the overall experience. Visitors can also receive real-time updates on rituals, crowd conditions, and emergency alerts.

This is the first time digital solutions have been integrated on such a large scale, making Maha Kumbh a more immersive and memorable experience for devotees worldwide. Officials stated that the AI chatbot is being widely promoted across India, with a strong presence on social media platforms such as X, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. After their success during Magh Mela, these measures are expected to deliver 95% accuracy at Maha Kumbh 2025.

Maha Kumbh’s final ‘snan’

Maha Kumbh, the grand spiritual event held once every 12 years, began on January 13 (Paush Purnima) with massive processions of Naga Sadhus and three ‘Amrit Snans’. For the final sacred ‘snan’ of the festival, a massive number of devotees began arriving at the Sangam banks around midnight. While some camped and waited for the ‘Brahma Muhurt’ to take their dip, many performed the ritual bath well before the scheduled time. Recognised as the world’s largest spiritual gathering, the festival’s concluding day, on 26 February 2025 Maha Shivratri drew pilgrims from all across the country.

With inputs from agencies