As Mahakumbh 2025 crosses its midway mark, Justdial, India’s No. 1 local search engine, has released compelling search data that demonstrates the enormous impact of this sacred gathering on local services and infrastructure. The data, covering both pre-event preparation and the first month of the festival, reveals unprecedented shifts in consumer behaviour and service demands.

In the lead-up to the Mahakumbh, which began on January 13, search patterns showed extraordinary growth from December 2024 to January 2025. Most notably, searches became 89-fold for Puja Item Dealers, while Sweet Shops and Pandits searches became 35-fold and 31-fold, respectively, indicating intensive preparation for the spiritual gathering.

The data becomes even more revealing when examining the period after the Mahakumbh began. Comparing January 22 to January 31 with January 14 to January 21 (the first week of the event), searches for Temples surged by 139%, while Petrol Pumps saw a 133% increase, and Ghats witnessed a 118% rise. This dramatic uptick reflects the massive influx of pilgrims as the event gained momentum.

The hospitality and travel sector has demonstrated remarkable growth throughout the event. Initial searches for Hotels, Dharamshalas, and Tourist Guide Services searches became fivefold from December to January. As the Mahakumbh progressed, the demand continued to rise, with Travel Agents seeing a 110% increase in the latter part of January, while Mahakumbh Mela Tents searches grew by 87% and Hotels by 86%.

Essential support services have also adapted to meet the growing demands of millions of pilgrims. Ambulance Services searches quadrupled in the pre-event period, while searches for ATMs, Car Rentals, and Chemists doubled, indicating robust preparation for visitor safety and convenience.

With two weeks remaining until the Mahakumbh’s conclusion on February 26, these search patterns not only reflect the festival’s massive scale but also demonstrate how technology is enabling pilgrims to better access vital services. The data suggests that this year’s Mahakumbh Mela has achieved new heights in terms of organised participation, with devotees actively using digital platforms to enhance their spiritual journey.