Mahakumbh 2025: Bigger And Brighter! 40K Rechargable Bulbs, 220 Divers, 700 Boats To Guard Sangam Waters

The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government will illuminate the Mahakumbh fairgrounds with over 40,000 rechargeable bulbs, ensuring 24/7 lighting. These innovative bulbs will continue to shine even during power outages, maintaining the divine ambience. Lighting will play a key role in enhancing the grandeur and spirituality of the Mahakumbh. The shimmering lights at the fairgrounds in the evening will cast a mystical glow over the sacred waters of the Ganga and Yamuna, further enriching the divine ambience. 

Anoop Kumar Sinha, Executive Engineer in charge of the Electricity Department, stated that the UP government plans to install these rechargeable bulbs at key points and remain lit even during power outages. 

“Besides standard LED bulbs, rechargeable bulbs will be installed at key points, including the 4.5 lakh electrical connections for camps. These bulbs have built-in batteries that charge when the lights are on and continue to function during power cuts. This will prevent any areas from falling into darkness, as the rechargeable bulbs will remain lit even during power outages. Backup power, including large-scale gensets, will also be on standby to restore supply within one to two minutes, ensuring no lapse in lighting,” Sinha said. 

Sinha informed us that the funding for these rechargeable bulbs, which will cost approximately Rs 2.7 crores, will be sourced from the ongoing projects of the Electricity Department for Mahakumbh. 

“The funding for these bulbs will be sourced from the ongoing projects of the Electricity Department in the Mahakumbh Mela area. Typically, a rechargeable bulb costs between Rs 600 to 700, meaning the installation of 45,000 bulbs will likely cost around 2.7 crore rupees. However, the number of bulbs may vary depending on the number of camps,” he said. 

In addition to the bulbs inside the camps, efforts are being made to ensure no darkness outside the camps either. A total of 67,000 regular lights will be installed outside, with a backup plan that includes 2,000 solar hybrid lights. These solar hybrid lights are designed to continue operating during power outages, as they have battery backups charged by sunlight. In the event of a power failure, they will switch to battery power, ensuring there is no disruption in lighting. These 2,000 solar hybrid lights will further ensure no risk of total darkness. 

 Sangam River To Remain On High Alert

Mahakumbh 2025 is gearing up to be a spectacular event, with the Uttar Pradesh government leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety and security of devotees. In a massive deployment, 220 highly skilled deep-sea divers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will be stationed to secure the Sangam waters. These divers will be on alert 24/7, backed by 700 boats, to provide round-the-clock water safety. The country’s top Water Police personnel from Goa, Kolkata, and Maharashtra will join the forces in Prayagraj this year to guard the devotees. 

For the first time, a large number of high-tech divers will be stationed to ensure the safety of pilgrims and saints during sacred bathing rituals. Teams from the NDRF, SDRF, water police, PAC, and healthcare staff are working in unison to ensure the safety of devotees at Mahakumbh 2025, the largest gathering in Sanatan Dharma. 

According to Janardan Prasad Sahni, Water Police In-Charge at Kila Police Station, 220 deep-sea divers—180 brought in from various regions and 39 already stationed locally—will remain on high alert to ensure round-the-clock water safety. 

Following CM Yogi’s instructions, significant local participation is enlisted to support the event. Local boatmen, skilled in navigating depths up to 40 feet without equipment, also contribute their expertise. Additionally, 10 PAC companies, 12 NDRF teams, and 6 SDRF units are being deployed to ensure the safety of bathers and manage any potential emergencies effectively. 

Alongside the PAC and NDRF-SDRF teams, large numbers of residents are also actively participating. Furthermore, over 200 local individuals are undergoing training by the Water Police to assist in safeguarding the saints and pilgrims during the holy bathing rituals at Mahakumbh.

The Mahakumbh begins with the Paush Purnima Snan on January 13, 2025. The Kumbh festival will conclude with the last bath on February 26, the day of Mahashivratri.