AI manages 660 million people at India’s Maha Kumbh Mela religious gathering

India’s largest AI-driven crowd management system has been successfully deployed at the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, enabling authorities to safely manage over 660 million attendees during the 45-day religious gathering. The collaboration between Echelon Edge and Synergy Telematics marks a significant advancement in applying artificial intelligence to large-scale event management, demonstrating how predictive analytics can transform public safety operations for mass gatherings on an unprecedented scale.

The big picture: Echelon Edge implemented India’s first centralized AI-driven crowd management platform at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, successfully managing movement for 660 million people during the 45-day religious gathering from January to February.

Key features: The Percipient Unified Platform leveraged AI to predict congestion points and optimize crowd flow in real-time through a comprehensive digital management system.

• The platform identified potential bottlenecks by monitoring acceleration flow rates and provided predictive insights to authorities.
• A single-click interface gave officials access to camera feeds, estimated arrival times, and AI-driven recommendations.
• GIS integration offered multi-layered views of the event grounds for improved spatial awareness and decision-making.

What they’re saying: “Through our AI-driven crowd management platform, we helped authorities monitor real-time movement and enabled predictive intervention, which was crucial for avoiding congestion and ensuring a seamless experience,” stated Gaurav Gandhi, CEO and Co-Founder of Echelon Edge.

Why this matters: The successful deployment demonstrates how advanced AI technology can be applied to manage extraordinary logistical challenges while preserving cultural and spiritual experiences for millions of participants.