– Temple searches surge 139% in the last ten days of January
– Travel agent searches climb 110% as Kumbh enters the second month
– Hotel bookings became five-fold this January compared to December
– Puja item dealers searches became 89-fold this January compared to December
– Sweet shop queries rise 35 times as Kumbh reaches midway
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.
APPENDIX
Month-over-Month Comparison (December 2024 vs January 2025)
Service Category Growth Factor
Puja Item Dealers 89x
Sweet Shops 35x
Pandits 31x
Ashrams 16x
Tourist Guide Services 5x
Hotels 5x
Travel Agents 5x
Dharamshalas 4x
Ambulance Services 4x
Temples 3x
Pure Veg Restaurants 2x
Petrol Pumps 2x
ATM 2x
Car Rental 2x
Chemists 2x
Period-over-Period Growth (January 22-31, 2025 vs January 14-21, 2025)
Service Category Percentage Increase
`Temples 139 %
Petrol Pumps 133 %
Ghats 118 %
Travel Agents 110 %
Car Rental 97 %
Kumbh Mela Tents 87 %
Hotels 86 %
Tourist Guide Services 73 %
Pandits 58 %
Puja Item Dealers 56 %
Sweet Shops 50 %
Ashrams 35 %
Chemists 26 %