To assist the domestic and international travellers during the Mahakumbh 2025, over 4,000 tourist guides will be trained by department of Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture.

UP minister for Tourism and Culture Jaiveer Singh said on Monday that extensive preparations are underway for Mahakumbh-2025, the world’s largest religious, cultural, and spiritual gathering, set to take place in Prayagraj. In order to exhibit the best hospitality for all the visitors’ tourist guides, boatmen etc are also being trained.

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Additionally, large-scale arrangements, including tent cities, home stays, and hotels, are being developed to ensure the comfortable accommodation for over 40 crore domestic and international visitors expected to arrive at the Mahakumbh 2025.

The training program for the tourist guides will focus on enhancing the experience for both domestic and international tourists during the Mahakumbh. Anticipating over 40 crore devotees at Prayagraj, preparations are in full swing. The first training for the guides commenced on August 12 at Hotel Ilavart in Prayagraj, the state tourism minister said.

To become a part of the training, the guides must be between 18 and 60 years of age with a minimum educational qualification of a 12th grade pass. Each batch of the training will consist of 60 participants, and the training will be completed in five days.

In addition to the guides, boatmen, taxi drivers, and other stakeholders will receive one-day training sessions to ensure a smooth and organized event. The training for the tourist guides, boatmen, taxi drivers, and other stakeholders is being convened by Kanshiram Tourism Institute (MKITM), Lucknow. Once the Mahakumbh begins in January 2025, all trained participants will also receive an honorarium for their services.

Jaiveer Singh further emphasised that the state government is dedicated to making Mahakumbh-2025 monumental event than previous years.

He highlighted that the Tourism Department’s views that the training initiative as a significant opportunity to showcase UP’s hospitality on a global stage. Comprehensive infrastructure facilities will be ready ahead of the event, ensuring that devotees have access to all necessary amenities, including accommodation, guided tours, and facilities for rituals and bathing on auspicious ‘snan’ dates, he added.