The upcoming Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, expected to attract over 40 crore devotees, will feature a unique initiative combining spiritual devotion with women’s empowerment, as the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government plans to provide bottled Ganga water to pilgrims at key locations, including railway stations and bus terminals, through self-help groups (SHGs) of women.
As millions of devotees arrive at the sacred Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati converge, many wish to take the holy water back with them.
However, during large gatherings like the Maha Kumbh, the sheer volume of pilgrims often makes it difficult for everyone to access this sacred water.
To address this, the government has established a new system where bottled Ganga water will be available for purchase at major transport hubs, ensuring no devotee misses out on this important spiritual experience.
In a significant move towards empowering rural women, the responsibility of providing bottled Ganga water will be handled by over 1,000 women from self-help groups connected to the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
These women will not only sell the water but also gain financial independence and skill development through this initiative.
Rajeev Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of NRLM, the government has designed this special arrangement as part of efforts to make women self-reliant.
Training has already been provided to these women on the sale of Ganga water at transport hubs and religious sites across the city.
This project is also an innovative start-up that aligns with the government’s push to empower women and boost local economies.
Singh mentioned that if this initiative proves successful, the number of women involved may increase, further promoting the concept of women-led entrepreneurship.
In line with sustainability efforts, the bottled Ganga water will packed in eco-friendly containers, with the packaging designed using ‘munj’ (a local grass), a product from the district’s ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) initiative.
Women from Mahwa village in Naini, known for their skill in crafting products from ‘munj’, are making designer baskets for packaging the water.
The water will be available in 1-liter, 500 ml, and 250 ml bottles, offering a range of options for pilgrims.
This initiative not only promotes women’s empowerment but also boosts the branding of ‘munj’ as a sustainable and eco-friendly material.
The efforts aim to provide a memorable, meaningful experience for the Maha Kumbh visitors, while also contributing to the economic development of the local community.
As the world’s largest spiritual gathering, the Maha Kumbh draws people from across the globe.
With this new initiative, devotees will be able to take home a piece of the sacred Triveni water, while supporting the empowerment of women in the region.
The government’s focus on combining spiritual traditions with social welfare makes the Maha Kumbh 2025 not only a celebration of faith but also a milestone for women’s progress and community development in Uttar Pradesh.
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