Skyrocketing Interest in Maha Kumbh: Travel and Accommodation Platforms Experience a Boom

Accommodation and travel platforms are experiencing a considerable rise in demand for the Maha Kumbh mela, commencing in Prayagraj on Monday.

An Oyo representative stated that booking requests for the Maha Kumbh period are double the available inventory, with demand on Shahi Snan days escalating to triple the total room capacity.

“Oyo is witnessing a noteworthy increase in demand during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The search activity for Oyo hotels has surged twofold this week compared to the same week last month, indicating heightened interest among travelers,” the representative elaborated.

Inquiries for Prayagraj on MakeMyTrip have risen 23 times year-on-year, and travel demand is especially high during the opening and closing weeks of the event, remarked MakeMyTrip co-founder and group CEO Rajesh Magow.

” As devotees seek deeper experiences closer to the essence of the Maha Kumbh, tent accommodations have seen robust demand. MakeMyTrip’s eight specially crafted packages for the Maha Kumbh have also recorded a favorable increase, with families and groups forming the predominant share,” he continued.

Due to the scarcity of branded luxury hotels in Prayagraj, prices for homestays and alternative accommodation options are on the rise. A room at Zone Connect by The Park in Prayagraj is priced at Rs 30,680 for January 13 on Booking.com. A room at Heritage Inn costs Rs 23,600, while a superior queen room at hotel Krishna Continental would set you back Rs 29,589 according to Booking.com. Santosh Kumar, country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia at Booking.com, stated that the platform has observed a ‘remarkable’ 35-fold increase in inquiries for Prayagraj, the host city, during January and February. This data corresponds to search sessions from November 30 to December 7, for check-in dates spanning from January 11 to February 28. “The Maha Kumbh Mela’s effect reaches beyond Prayagraj. Varanasi is also experiencing a spike in travel interest, with a 70% increase in inquiries year-on-year. Other surrounding cities like Vrindavan and Lucknow are following similar trends, showcasing the travelers’ eagerness to immerse themselves in the spiritual ambiance surrounding the event,” he added.

Sadhvi Tapeshwari Bharti, spokesperson for Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan, mentioned that approximately 9000-10,000 individuals will stay at the Sansthan’s Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati cottages, and they are fully booked. “Around 15-20 lakh visitors are anticipated in our pandal from India and abroad (primarily from the UK, USA, Singapore, and Australia),” she noted.