Mahakumbh 2025: Massive Crowds Expected on Mahashivratri, Concerns Over Overpricing at Sangam

With just eight days left for the Mahakumbh 2025 to conclude, the number of devotees at Prayagraj’s Sangam continues to surge. Over 550 million people have already taken a holy dip, and millions more from across India and abroad are arriving daily, eager to be part of this grand religious event. As Mahashivratri approaches, the administration is preparing for an unprecedented influx of pilgrims.However, reports suggest that some boat operators are taking advantage of the situation by charging exorbitant fares for ferrying devotees to the sacred confluence for their ritual bath. Despite government-fixed rates, some are demanding as much as ₹20,000 per ride. This exploitation has sparked outrage among pilgrims, many of whom expressed their frustration over the unfair pricing. Authorities have been urged to intervene and ensure fair pricing to prevent devotees from being overcharged. As the final days of Mahakumbh near, ensuring smooth crowd management and preventing such malpractice remains a key challenge for the administration.