The Bank is going beyond traditional to offer a series of service-driven initiatives to prioritize pilgrim welfare, digital security, and sustainable solutions.

1. Awareness Drive on Cybersecurity: SanskritPassword.com & DevanagariPIN.com

With increasing cyber threats, Axis Bank had recently introduced SanskritPassword.com, a platform that leverages the complexity of Sanskrit to generate secure passwords, thereby reducing vulnerability to cyberattacks. To spread awareness around the platform, Bank has organized live demonstrations and distribution of QR code-enabled keychains at the Mela that link users to the website, simplifying secure password creation. This initiative, running for 25 days across Axis Bank branches and designated kiosks, aims to educate pilgrims on digital safety.

Additionally, Axis Bank has introduced DevanagariPIN.com, an innovative tool to enhance banking security. This tool allows users to create personalised and secure PINs by converting meaningful words into numerical codes using the Devanagari script.

2. On-Ground Assistance: Help Desks at Axis Bank Branches

Further strengthening its on-ground support, Axis Bank has set up dedicated help desks across its 11 branches in Prayagraj. These desks serve as a key resource for pilgrims, providing guidance on navigation within the Mela, financial assistance including currency exchange, and general information to enhance their overall experience.

3. Deployment of Mobile ATM Van & Cloth Bag Vending Machines –

Axis Bank has deployed a Mobile ATM Van within the Mela area, enabling easy access to cash withdrawals, currency exchange, and coin distribution. Operated directly from the Bank’s currency chest, this initiative will ensure seamless financial accessibility for devotees.

Additionally, to promote sustainable practices at Mela, Axis Bank has partnered with Nagar Nigam Prayagraj to install four cloth bag vending machines at high-footfall areas, encouraging devotees to choose eco-friendly alternatives for carrying essentials.

4. Driving Digital Awareness: Collaboration with RBI for CBDC Education –

In collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Axis Bank is also participating in a five-day awareness drive on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) where two Bank representatives are stationed at the RBI camp within the Mela to educate the devotees on digital currency and fraud prevention measures.

5. Protecting Pilgrims from the Cold: Woollen Cap Distribution –

As part of its efforts to support devotees in challenging winter conditions, Axis Bank is distributing 80,000 woollen caps at strategic locations in Kumbh Mela, including ghats, akharas, bank branches, and kiosks. A dedicated team of the Bank is overseeing distribution to ensure maximum reach.

Speaking about these initiatives, Arnika Dixit, President & Head – Branch Banking, Axis Bank said, “It is an absolute honor for Axis Bank to serve the millions of devotees attending Kumbh Mela 2025, a gathering that embodies faith, devotion, and the collective spirit of togetherness. At Axis Bank, we believe that true service goes beyond transactions—it is about enabling experiences, fostering security, and empowering every devotee who embarks on this spiritual journey. With these initiatives, we continue to uphold our commitment to financial inclusion, digital empowerment, and community welfare, making the Kumbh Mela 2025 experience safer, more convenient, and spiritually enriching for millions of pilgrims.”

By integrating financial accessibility with on-ground assistance, digital security, and sustainable solutions, the Bank is ensuring that devotees can focus on their spiritual journey without concerns about safety or convenience. As millions gather for this sacred occasion, Axis Bank remains steadfast in its mission to support and empower communities, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in moments that truly matter.

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At the event, Ms Akanksha Rana praised the program, stating, “Vidya Kumbh is a commendable initiative that will inspire children from labourer families towards education and secure their future. This effort to prioritise education amidst a grand event like the Maha Kumbh Mela will bring a significant change in the lives of these children.”

The Maha Kumbh Mela is India’s largest religious and cultural gathering, attracting millions of devotees, pilgrims, and tourists. This once-in-12-year event generates significant economic activity, with over 90,000 workers across departments contributing to its preparations. Many of these workers, who travel from various parts of India, are accompanied by their families, including children whose education is disrupted in the process.

Vidya Kumbh is a response to this challenge, aiming to provide learning opportunities to children in and around the event. The school will run for four months, providing children access to foundational learning, quality education materials, and life skills-building activities.

“Educate Girls, in collaboration with the Basic Education Department, has launched the ‘Vidya Kumbh’ initiative to ensure that the children of labourers attending the Maha Kumbh Mela don’t miss out on their education. This transformative step towards ensuring no child’s education is disrupted due to socio-economic circumstances underscores the importance of taking education to where children are, rather than waiting for them to come to us,” added Vikram Solanki, Director of Operations, Educate Girls.

Notably, several girl children who were previously identified by Educate Girls as ‘out-of-school’ in other states, such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, have been found at these camps, highlighting the critical need for ongoing educational outreach and the role Vidya Kumbh plays in keeping these children connected to education despite their transient circumstances.

“Through this camp, we are striving to promote education and connect children to foundational learning for a better future. I am confident that this initiative will be a success at the Kumbh Mela. My gratitude goes to all the organisations contributing to this effort,” added Praveen Kumar Tiwari, Basic Education Officer, Prayagraj.

Located in Sanitation Colony-2, Vidya Kumbh was inaugurated in December 2024. The event was also attended by Dr. Anand Singh, Additional Chief Medical Officer, Mr. Rajeev Tripathi, Deputy Commissioner, Basic Education Department, and representatives from Educate Girls. During the event, Educate Girls’ supplementary, remedial learning curriculum kits called ‘Gyan Ka Pitara’, which focus on Foundational Learning and Numeracy for Grades 3-5, were also distributed.

The program has garnered significant attention from dignitaries, including state education officers and NGO representatives.

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Bengaluru, January 21, 2025: In a move to make Maha Kumbh 2025 safer through effective crowd management, the Maha Kumbh police today handed over 5000 Eveready siren torches to on-ground police personnel during a press conference held at the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kumbh Mela Camp Office and Police Lines in the Maha Kumbh Area. The event was attended by senior Uttar Pradesh Police officials that included Shri. Rajesh Dwivedi, SSP Kumbh Mela, Shri Aseem Chaudhary, SP Security and Shri. Dr. K.G. Singh, Staff Officer, SSP Kumbh Mela.

A once in a lifetime occasion, the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is expected to draw approximately 40 crore pilgrims during the 44-day spectacle. Given the scale of the grand event, Eveready Industries India Ltd., the country’s leading flashlight and battery manufacturer, extended its support by equipping police personnel deputed for the grand duo-decennial event with its latest innovation, the Eveready Siren Torch.

Speaking at the conference, Shri. Rajesh Dwivedi, SSP Kumbh Mela, Uttar Pradesh Police, said, “The administration is proactively undertaking a host of safety and security measures to ensure that the devotees attending the event have a seamless spiritual experience. In line with this endeavour, the Eveready Siren Torch will help empowering our on-ground officers to effectively manage the crowds, making Maha Kumbh 2025 safer for all.”

The Eveready Siren Torch, while serving as a traditional flashlight, transforms into a powerful safety device with a 100 decibel (dBA) sound alarm that can be activated by simply pulling an attached keychain. As part of this joint initiative, Eveready will also be undertaking a practical demonstration for the Maha Kumbh Police to showcase the dual functionality and utility of the device.

Anirban Banerjee, Sr. Vice President & SBU Head (Batteries & Flashlights) at Eveready Industries India Ltd., said, “Over the years, the police has consistently played an invaluable role in ensuring the safety and security of millions of pilgrims undertaking their spiritual journey. Maha Kumbh 2025, the world’s largest congregation, is witnessing extraordinary participation and, therefore, efficient crowd management will be a key priority. We are delighted to extend our support to the Maha Kumbh Police by providing them with our innovative Siren Torch to aid them in making Maha Kumbh 2025 peaceful and safer.”

While managing vast crowds, the Siren Torch will further help the police enhance surveillance and security measures at the Maha Kumbh 2025. Furthermore, the Maha Kumbh Police and Eveready have also displayed emergency helpline numbers which are prominently visible across all police stations, to help attendees reach out to relevant authorities in case of any crisis.  In addition, safety norms will also be propagated across the 56 police stations within the Mela premise.

“The Maha Kumbh 2025 is the largest congregation in the world. A lot of brands are supporting Maha Kumbh Police to assist devotees in their spiritual journey this year. We welcome Eveready’s initiative of equipping the on-ground personnel with the innovative siren torch for the safety of people attending this grand event.” said Shri Aseem Chaudhary, SP Security, Maha Kumbh Mela.

The revolutionary Siren Torch is a versatile and pocket-friendly flashlight which is more than just a product, it is a symbol of safety, empowerment and the ability to raise one’s voice in critical moments. The indispensable instrument stands as a beacon of confidence, giving individuals, especially women, the assurance to push boundaries and explore horizons without compromising on their safety. This powerful device empowers them to move forward boldly and carefree transforming moments of hesitation into opportunities for fearless advancement.

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Bengaluru, 15 January 2025: Air India today announced it will temporarily operate daily flights between Delhi and Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, the world’s largest spiritual gathering.

To meet the high travel demand, Air India will operate the route from 25 January to 28 February 2025. With these flights, Air India brings the only full-service flying option between the two cities for customers, offering them the choice of premium cabins in addition to Economy Class.

With convenient daytime departures in both directions, the flights enable seamless connections via Delhi to customers travelling to/from various parts of India as well as North America, Europe, Australia, and several countries in Southeast Asia.

Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents.

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–          The  microsite is designed to empower pilgrims with hassle-free & seamless travel planning for the ongoing spiritual gathering 

Mumbai, 15^th January 2025: ixigo, India’s leading OTA for the Next Billion Users, has introduced a dedicated microsite to help devotees, pilgrims, and travellers plan for Maha Kumbh 2025, which is taking place in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025. As the world’s largest spiritual gathering, Maha Kumbh draws millions of devotees and pilgrims from across the globe. ixigo’s microsite acts as a one-stop destination, providing a comprehensive guide to logistics, rituals, activities, and everything needed to navigate this extraordinary event seamlessly.

ixigo’s Maha Kumbh 2025 guide makes planning seamless by enabling travellers to book hotels, tents, flights, trains, and buses, all in one place. The microsite highlights key events like the auspicious bathing dates, ensuring you don’t miss the festival’s most significant moments. Powered by ixigo’s AI-driven tool PLAN, the guide offers tailored itineraries for every preference, including heritage walks, family-friendly activities, and photogenic spots. For a truly immersive experience, explore Prayagraj’s rich spiritual and cultural legacy through engaging videos showcasing iconic landmarks, must-visit temples, and local food trails.

As Maha Kumbh 2025 unfolds, ixigo has witnessed a 2.6x surge in flight and train bookings to Prayagraj and nearby areas. Flight bookings to Prayagraj have skyrocketed by 162% year-on-year, while Varanasi and Lucknow airports have seen growth of 127% and 42%, respectively. Train bookings have surged by 187% YoY, with solo travellers accounting for  57% of the total bookings, out of which 39% are women. Bus bookings have also seen a significant rise, with maximum traction seen from Delhi (27%), Nagpur (18%), and Jaipur (15%). Notably, Gen Z and millennials are driving the majority of bus bookings, reflecting their enthusiasm and active participation in this iconic spiritual gathering.

Speaking on this, Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO & Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO, ixigo said, “Our Maha Kumbh 2025 micro-site is designed to empower millions of devotees and travellers with the essential tools and information to make their journey to the world’s largest spiritual gathering as smooth as possible. With an unprecedented surge in travel to Prayagraj, leading to significant growth in flight, train, and bus bookings, our platform offers a one-stop guide to help pilgrims plan every aspect of their journey. From travel logistics to rituals and activities, our goal is to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience for travellers from every corner of the world.”

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The Bhashini platform provides robust multilingual support for the ‘Digital Lost & Found Solution,’ streamlining the process of assisting pilgrims during the Maha Kumbh. Attendees can register lost or found items using voice commands in their native languages, with real-time text and voice translation facilitating smooth communication. The system is integrated with a multilingual chatbot to address visitor queries and assist with kiosk navigation. Additionally, a mobile app and kiosk system translate essential guidelines into local languages, ensuring ease of access for all. Collaboration with police authorities enables seamless real-time communication, further enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of support services for the event.

The Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot, is an AI-driven, voice-enabled assistant designed to redefine visitor assistance during the Maha Kumbh 2025. Powered by cutting-edge AI technologies such as Llama LLM, this chatbot provides real-time information and navigation support in 11 languages, including Hindi, English, and other Indian languages. By integrating with Bhashini’s language translation ecosystem, it offers a seamless, multilingual experience tailored to the diverse needs of pilgrims. The chatbot aims to enrich the Maha Kumbh experience by ensuring personalized assistance and effortless communication, leaving visitors with cherished memories of the event.

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A day after over 1 crore people took a dip in the sacred Sangam, a record number of devotees are expected to take part in the first ‘Amrit Snan’ of the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 on Tuesday, January 14, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. Seers and Naga Sadhus arrived for the holy dip at Sangam early in the morning.

Ash-smeared Naga Sadhus or Hindu holy men of different akharas (monastic Hindu order), walked during a religious procession as they head to take a dip in Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, for Shahi Snan or ‘royal bath’, on the occasion of Maha Kumbh Mela festival, in Prayagraj on January 14, 2025.

Devotees gathered to watch the grand procession of Naga Sadhus.Naga Sadhus of Panchayati Nirvani Akhara took the nectar bath in their royal form with spear, trident and swords. Sages and saints joined the procession riding on horses and chariots, which spread devotion and spiritual energy in the entire area. Devotees were running towards Ganga since midnight with a bundle on their head and a bag in their side.

There was a rush of devotees in Nagavasuki temple and Sangam area since early morning. Elders, women and youth, all carrying bundles on their heads, were seen moving towards the Sangam full of faith. The reverence for bathing was such that people started taking a dip in the holy waters of Ganga from the very night itself. Strict security arrangements at every nook and corner, mounted police marched.
The administration made concrete arrangements for the safety of the devotees in Mahakumbh Nagar.

Vehicles were thoroughly checked by placing barricades on every route. Barricades were put up on every road and vehicles were thoroughly checked. The entire event remained peaceful and organised with the deployment of police and security forces at every nook and corner. DIG Kumbh Mela Vaibhav Krishna, SSP Rajesh Dwivedi and the police team marched on foot in the fair area with horses and paved the way for the Akhada sadhus going for Amrit Snan.

Chants of Har Har Mahadev and Jai Shri Ram were heard on the bathing ghats spread over an area of 12 kilometres. Along with the sadhus taking Amrit Snan, common devotees also took a dip of their faith. A huge crowd of devotees was seen from all around for Ganga Snan around Sangam. Crores of devotees took a dip in the bone-chilling cold even before the first ray of light emerged.Chants of Har Har Mahadev and Jai Shri Ram echoed in the 12 kilometer long ghat area.

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Mahakumbh 2025 LIVE: Over 60 lakh devotees gathered at Sangam on Monday to take part in the sacred ritual as one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings kicked off in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The first Shahi Snan of the Mahakumbh was observed on Paush Purnima today.

Sangam, the meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, witnessed a huge turnout. The 45-day festival is expected to draw even more devotees, boosting local trade significantly during its course.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his greetings for the festival, describing the Mahakumbh as a reflection of India’s enduring spiritual legacy that celebrates faith and unity.

Along with millions of Indian pilgrims, several international visitors also participated in the Mahakumbh on Monday, some braving the chilly weather to take a holy dip in the sacred waters.
Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of CAIT, highlighted the significant economic impact of the event, predicting that the festival would generate a major surge in trade and economic activities. “With an average spending of ₹5,000 per individual during their religious journey, the overall expenditure is expected to surpass ₹2 lakh crore. This includes costs for accommodations, food, religious goods, healthcare, and other essential services,” said Khandelwal.

When does Mahakumbh start?
The Mahakumbh Mela began on January 13, 2025, and will continue until February 26, 2025, attracting millions of devotees seeking spiritual purification.

When does Mahakumbh 2025 end?
The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 will conclude on February 26, 2025.

Why is Mahakumbh 2025 significant?
While the Kumbh Mela takes place every three years at four different locations, the Mahakumbh is held only once every twelve years in Prayagraj. The 2025 edition is particularly special due to a rare celestial alignment, which only occurs once every 144 years, further enhancing the spiritual and astrological significance of the event.

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Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh – Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and launched multiple development projects worth approximately Rs 5500 crore on Friday, December 13, 2024, in preparation for Mahakumbh 2025.

Addressing a gathering in the sacred city, the Prime Minister expressed reverence for Prayagraj’s spiritual legacy and lauded the efforts of employees, shramiks, and safai karmacharis for their dedication to making Mahakumbh a grand success.

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Highlighting Mahakumbh as one of the largest gatherings globally, Modi emphasized its cultural significance and economic impact. He noted the temporary city hosting millions daily for 45 days, boosting local businesses, creating employment, and fostering economic activities in the region. From boatmen and shopkeepers to those assisting pilgrims, the event promises widespread economic benefits extending to nearby districts.

PM Modi also performed rituals at iconic sites, including Sangam Nose, Akshay Vata Vriksh, Hanuman Mandir, and Saraswati Koop. He inaugurated various projects, including 10 new flyovers, permanent riverfront infrastructure, and initiatives for cleaner Ganga waters. Temple corridors, such as the Bharadwaj Ashram and Hanuman Mandir corridors, were unveiled to enhance accessibility and promote spiritual tourism.

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A notable launch was the Kumbh Sah’AI’yak Chatbot, designed to provide real-time guidance to devotees during Mahakumbh. Modi’s initiatives align with his commitment to preserving India’s spiritual heritage while advancing infrastructure and environmental sustainability.

The event was attended by UP Governor Anandiben Patel, CM Yogi Adityanath, and Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak. Mahakumbh 2025 is set to elevate Prayagraj’s global stature, blending cultural pride with economic empowerment.

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