Maha Kumbh 2025: How AI-Driven Data Analytics Bridges Spirituality and Technology
I am excited to talk about one of the grandest events underway on our planet Earth, the Maha Kumbh Mela (festival of the sacred pitcher), where spirituality is converging with science and technology. Look at some staggering numbers displayed in the exhibit related to this festival!
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The Kumbh Mela series draws spiritual seekers from all over the world, including Hollywood stars, global thought leaders and influencers. Yoga enthusiasts, researchers of Indian spirituality and pilgrims not only from Indian subcontinent but from the Americas, Europe, the Indo-Pacific and West Asia are also drawn to it. Clearly, the Kumbh Mela has evolved into a global pilgrimage, and this year it is even grander due to unique planetary alignments, earning the name Maha Kumbh Mela. In Sanskrit, "Maha" means great or big, "Kumbh" refers to a pitcher or pot, and "Mela" signifies a fair or fest.
The Kumbh Mela is so massive that it is visible from space. The first high resolution shot with stunning details was captured by Space Imaging’s IKONOS satellite in 2001. Indian space agency ISRO released photographs of the Kumbh Mela in 2019.
UNESCO named Kumbh Mela as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. The U.N. agency says that the event encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and social and cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in knowledge.
AI-powered technology takes center stage at Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India redefining how devotees engage with their faith and cultural heritage during the 45-day event (January 13–February 26, 2025). The mega event is poised to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies to manage millions of pilgrims while ensuring safety, efficiency, and sustainability. This blend of tradition and technology sets a new benchmark for managing gigantic public gatherings.
If you're new to AI, consider reading SAS' article, "Artificial Intelligence: What it is and Why it Matters," for an introduction. To learn about SAS Viya—a modern, scalable platform for AI, analytics, and data management—check out the "AI and the Analytics Life Cycle" video.
Here’s a list of key application areas and how AI is transforming this mega event:
Advanced Crowd Management and Monitoring
Real-Time Surveillance and Crowd Control
Managing millions requires precision. Over 2,700 AI-powered cameras, integrated with IoT devices, monitor crowd density and movement in real-time. Computer vision identifies overcrowding and unusual behavior, enabling authorities to take proactive measures. At the heart of operations is the Integrated Command & Control Center (ICCC), a nerve center overseeing real-time activities. The ICCC consolidates data from drones, CCTV feeds, and IoT devices to detect congestion and optimize decongestion measures efficiently.
Explore the SAS Demo: Example Use Case for SAS Computer Vision Capabilities, which highlights a practical example of how SAS Computer Vision can be applied.
Predictive and Optimization Models for Safety
AI models analyze historical data and real-time inputs to forecast crowd flow, peak attendance periods. AI algorithms identify high-risk zones and provide early warnings for potential bottlenecks and stampedes. GPS-enabled systems track real-time crowd movement, allowing authorities to deploy resources efficiently using mathematical optimization models. Over 2.5 terabytes of data generated daily provide insights into crowd behavior and preferences for future planning.
To learn how to train and deploy predictive models using Model Studio pipelines, watch the "Build Models with SAS Model Studio" video. Additionally, explore the "Monitor Assignment for Students with Disabilities Using SAS Optimization: Boston Public Schools" project, a part of SAS' Data4Good initiative.
Smart Transportation and Parking Solutions
AI-Powered Traffic Optimization
Machine Learning models predict traffic flow and AI-powered GPS systems suggest optimal routes based on real-time traffic conditions. Video analytics systems enhance traffic management by detecting wrong way driving or barricade jumping, monitoring entry/exit points, and ensuring smooth vehicular movement.
AI-Integrated Parking Solutions
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems streamline entry and exit for over 550,000 vehicles across 30+ parking zones. Integration with FASTag, an electronic toll collection system, enables cashless transactions, reducing congestion and wait times. AI predicts parking demand and monitors fill rates for optimized operations.
To learn more about how analytics combined with new IoT data is transforming cities smarter, watch "Analytics Powers the Internet of Things (IoT) for Smart Cities" on the SAS video portal.
Enhanced Public Safety and Security
Facial Recognition and Biometric Systems
AI-enabled facial recognition identifies missing persons and reunite lost individuals, particularly children and the elderly, with their families quickly. For instance, over 250 individuals were separated from their families in the dense crowd during the early hours of the first day of Maha Kumbh. Remarkably, civil defense teams successfully reunited all of them with their families within just 90 minutes.
Biometric identification, integrated with Aadhaar, a twelve-digit unique identity number for Indian residents just like SSN in the US, ensures robust identity verification and enhances security. The digital 'Khoya Paaya Kendra', that is, lost and found centers enable quick registration and identification using facial recognition and biometric technology.
Discover how a face patch is converted into a feature vector in "Face Recognition Using SAS Viya." Also, watch SAS' blog, "Facial Recognition: Monetizing Faces in the Crowd," to learn how facial recognition systems go beyond identifying individuals, offering applications in marketing and demographic analysis.
Aerial and Underwater Surveillance
Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras monitor congestion and provide night-vision support. Underwater drones track activities below the surface in real-time, ensuring safety during ceremonial bathing.
Cybersecurity Measures
A dedicated team of 56 cyber experts monitors online threats and educates pilgrims about safe digital practices via Variable Messaging Displays (VMDs). AI tools identify and neutralize suspicious websites and online scams across platforms like Facebook and X.
To begin your journey in cybersecurity, read "Cybersecurity Analytics and the Vital Arterial Pulse Wave That Flows Through Your Network" and "The Latest Approach to Cyber Defense: Cyber Analytics" on the SAS website.
Pilgrim-Centric Digital Solutions
Android and IOS Mobile App
The official mobile app 'Maha Kumbh Mela 2025' provides navigation, emergency contacts, live updates, and a Lost & Found section. Multilingual support caters to international and regional visitors.
RFID Wristbands and AI Chatbots
Pilgrims are provided with RFID wristbands that, with their consent, track their movement including entry and exit times, ensuring safety and assisting in crowd regulation. The AI chatbot 'Kumbh Sah’AI’yak' offers real-time assistance in 11 languages, providing event information and navigation help.
Learn more about chatbots and intelligent assistants by reading the article "What are Chatbots and How Can You Combine Them with Analytics?" on the SAS website. Additionally, explore potential future applications of intelligent assistants in SAS Viya in the second half of the video "Sharing Reports, Generative AI Intelligent Assistants | SAS Viya December 2023 Release."
Healthcare and Emergency Response
AI-Enhanced Medical Services
Hospitals and mobile health units equipped with AI cameras and microphones monitor patients in real time and alert staff during emergencies. Wearables track health metrics of volunteers and paramedical staff and predict hotspots for potential health issues like drowning, suffocation, cold stroke etc.
For related information, visit the "Health Care Analytics" page on the SAS website. Also, watch the customer success story, "Duke Health: Advancing Health Care with Data and AI," to see how innovative AI-powered tools are being developed to enhance health care delivery processes.
Real-Time Translation Services
AI translation systems bridge language gaps, enabling seamless communication between doctors and patients in regional and international languages for better accessibility.
Digital Twin for Disaster Preparedness
A virtual replica of the mela grounds simulates crowd overflow scenarios and helps plan evacuation strategies for emergencies, ensuring safety for all attendees. AI-driven scenario analysis enhances disaster preparedness.
Learn more about digital twins by reading the SAS post, "Unleashing the Power of Generative AI: Transforming Digital Twins into Intelligent Twins."
Environmental Sustainability
Smart Waste Management
IoT-enabled bins and AI analytics optimize waste collection schedules, ensuring cleaner mela grounds. Real-time monitoring systems track waste disposal rates and promote eco-friendly practices.
Water Quality and Resource Monitoring
AI sensors continuously monitor the Ganges' water quality, tracking pollutants and suggesting remediation measures. This ensures water remains safe for holy dips and other rituals. Solar-powered energy stations and AI-driven insights into energy and water usage reduce the event’s environmental footprint. Analytics optimize resource consumption, reducing the mela’s carbon footprint.
As part of its corporate social responsibility, SAS is dedicated to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Learn more in the article "SAS Propels Corporate Responsibility Through Innovative AI and Sustainability Initiatives."
Concluding Remarks
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 exemplifies the transformative power of AI in managing one of the world’s largest gatherings. From enhancing safety and efficiency to promoting sustainability, AI-driven solutions are paving the way for a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for millions of devotees.
Find more articles from SAS Global Enablement and Learning here.
