Tenth International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

The Mahakumbh Mela (fair), the world’s largest religious festival, welcomes millions of pilgrims, among them a large number of foreign pilgrims belonging to different cultural and religious backgrounds. Mahakumbh 2025 is particularly important as it is another grand gathering of devotees, saints, and scholars. This study examines the stories of foreign participants, examining their reasons, experiences, and meanings of this holy event from the perspectives of religious tourism, transnational spirituality, and cultural exchange. Data was collected from the visitors from different nations and Indian diaspora people, Based on qualitative techniques like in-depth interviews, ethnographic observations, and content analysis of travelogues and documentaries, the research classifies foreign tourists into specific groups: spiritual seekers, academic researchers, wellness enthusiasts, photographers, cultural explorers, and diasporic pilgrims. NVivo software was used to analyse the recorded data to determine major themes and trends surrounding spiritual transformation, cultural engagement, logistical issues, and safety issues. The research emphasizes how these visitors make sense of and incorporate the Mahakumbh experience into their own spiritual and cultural paradigms, creating a distinct dialogue between the global and the local. The research emphasizes the cross-cultural relevance of Mahakumbh, highlighting its function as a global spiritual center, promoting religious tourism, transnational spirituality, and cross-cultural exchanges. The research also analyzes government arrangements, crowd management measures, and the effect of the stampede that took place during the event.