Prayagraj's Magh Mela Creates Economic Windfall for Local Businesses
The ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj is proving to be an economic powerhouse for businesses of all sizes. Shopkeepers and entrepreneurs are experiencing unprecedented prosperity as millions of devotees and tourists flock to the sacred site.
Staggering Numbers Reveal Economic Impact
Mahendra Goyal, the state president of the Confederation of All India Traders Union, shared remarkable figures about the mela's economic influence. "In just sixteen days, the footfall of devotees and tourists brought immense prosperity to both registered and unregistered shopkeepers in the mela area," Goyal stated.
Mela administration estimates reveal that over ten crore people visited the mela area during this period. With each person spending approximately forty to fifty rupees, the total sales reached roughly four hundred fifty crore rupees. Goyal projected that this figure could exceed eleven hundred crore rupees by the mela's conclusion.
Record-Breaking Scale and Employment Generation
The 2026 Magh Mela is setting new standards in both scale and budget allocation. Trade and commerce agencies have placed the current event among the most successful in terms of employment generation and business creation.
Mela Akhikari Rishiraj explained the administration's approach to facilitating commerce. "We have established a Triveni Bazaar Food Court and Entertainment Zone in the Parade Ground," Rishiraj said. "More than twenty-five hundred shops operate in the mela area, allocated to both small and large shopkeepers."
This arrangement has created a win-win situation. Between thirty thousand and thirty-five thousand people secured employment through these commercial activities, while the mela administration generated substantial revenue from shop allocations.
Food, Hospitality and Travel Sectors Thrive
Goyal noted that specific sectors are experiencing particularly strong growth. "This year's Magh Mela has seen higher earnings from the food and hospitality sectors," he explained. "These are essential services that devotees find convenient to access within the mela grounds."
The travel sector has also witnessed significant expansion due to the massive influx of pilgrims. Local entrepreneurs are capitalizing on this opportunity.
Subhash Kesarwani, who operates a breakfast and fast food corner in Triveni Bazaar at Parade, described the overwhelming demand. "During the bathing days, I had so many customers that it was difficult to serve everyone," Kesarwani shared. "After bathing, most people came to my shop for breakfast and fast food."
Growing Tourism and Positive Branding Effects
Mela authorities anticipate a substantial increase in local tourism. They estimate a thirty to thirty-five percent rise in the number of local tourists compared to the 2024 Magh Mela.
The branding efforts following the 2025 Maha Kumbh have yielded positive results. These initiatives have contributed significantly to the increased footfall of both devotees and tourists at this year's Magh Mela.
The mela administration continues to allocate shops strategically throughout the area. This careful planning ensures smooth movement of devotees while meeting their basic needs efficiently.
