Maha Kumbh Mela Seen From Space

India's space agency, using Indian satellites, has beamed down images of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela - the world's single largest religious gathering - at Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.

The images by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) show a massive infrastructure made at the fair, where about 40 crore people are expected to visit over the period of 45 days. Using India's sophisticated optical satellites and day and night viewing capable radarsat, the National Remote Sensing Center in Hyderabad took a series of images showing the buildup of the massive infrastructure at Maha Kumbh Mela.

Dr Prakash Chauhan, the Director of the NRSC, said they used the radarsat as it could image the region through the cloud band that enveloped Prayagraj.

Time series images of EOS-04 (RISAT-1A) 'C' band microwave satellite, with its all-weather capability and fine resolution (FRS-1, 2.25m), provide unique insights into details of the Tent City (Layout of Structures and Roads) along with its network of pontoon bridges and supporting infrastructure, set up for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. The administration in Uttar Pradesh is also using these images to mitigate disasters and stampedes at the Mela.

"These advanced technologies represent a paradigm shift in managing large-scale religious gatherings. The Maha Kumbh Mela stands as a shining example of how technology and tradition can come together to create a cleaner, healthier future for all," Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said.

A new district - Mahakumbh Nagar - has been carved out in Uttar Pradesh for the religious event, which is celebrated at Triveni Sangam, the point where the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers meet. This year, the Maha Kumbh Mela has about 1,50,000 tents to house the visitors and is equipped with 3,000 kitchens, 1,45,000 restrooms, and 99 parking lots.

Prayagraj is hosting the event from January 13 to February 26. Nearly 26 hectares of land have been reclaimed and about 12 kilometers of additional bathing ghats were created for Maha Kumbh. More than eight crore people have taken a dip at the Sangam so far.