The Mahakumbh in Prayagraj is one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, drawing millions of visitors for its cultural, religious, and historical significance. For 2025, a new idea took shape — the Digital Mahakumbh Experience Centre, a space where centuries-old traditions could be reimagined through cutting-edge technology.
The Mahakumbh in Prayagraj is one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, drawing millions of visitors for its cultural, religious, and historical significance. For 2025, a new idea took shape — the Digital Mahakumbh Experience Centre, a space where centuries-old traditions could be reimagined through cutting-edge technology.
I was part of the design team that brought this vision to life.
The brief was both exciting and complex: create an immersive environment that could educate, inspire, and engage diverse visitors — from pilgrims to curious first-timers — using technology without losing the soul of the Mahakumbh.
This meant striking a balance between authenticity and innovation. Every visual, interaction, and spatial element had to be rooted in the cultural essence of the Mahakumbh, while still offering the wow-factor of modern digital experiences.
We divided the Experience Centre into 12 thematic zones, each telling a different aspect of the Mahakumbh’s story — its mythology, rituals, history, and global relevance.
To make each zone distinct yet connected, our design approach blended:
My role involved working closely with the creative, tech, and cultural research teams to ensure the design language across zones was consistent — culturally sensitive yet visually striking. We created UI/UX flows for interactive kiosks, designed spatial layouts to guide visitor movement, and developed the look-and-feel for digital surfaces so each zone felt part of a unified narrative.
The Digital Mahakumbh Experience Centre was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, marking a proud moment for the city of Prayagraj. The event was attended by several dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and senior government officials. The presence of respected saints and cultural ambassadors added to the significance of the launch, underscoring the Centre’s role in both preserving and celebrating heritage.
The final centre wasn’t just a collection of tech installations — it was a curated journey. Visitors could start by learning the origins of the Mahakumbh, experience key rituals in VR, interact with AI storytellers for mythological insights, and stand beside life-size holograms narrating personal pilgrim stories.
Every design element was intentional — guiding attention, encouraging participation, and creating moments of emotional connection.
Since opening in Prayagraj, the Digital Mahakumbh Experience Centre has become a key attraction for both devotees and tourists. It offers a way to engage with the Mahakumbh beyond the constraints of time and crowd size, preserving its heritage while making it accessible through technology.
For me, it was a rare opportunity to work on a project that wasn’t just about designing an experience — it was about safeguarding cultural memory in a form that future generations can explore.