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Maha Kumbh 2025 is the biggest religious gathering in Prayagraj, India. Starting from January 13, 2025, to February 26, 2025, more than 40 crore people are expected to pay a visit, stay near Ganga ghats, and participate in sacred rituals. This is an auspicious time for Hindu pilgrims, and it will happen again after 144 years.
Considering the number of pilgrims visiting Allahabad in the next 45 days, many organisations are conducting Anna Daan (food donation) drives in the city and online. These drives aim to feed pilgrims in Prayagraj, especially ascetics, sadhus, and devotees.
The food donated in these drives will be sent to community kitchens set around Maha Kumbh Mela and will be cooked by volunteers and permanent staff members. Some kitchens will be distributing meals for free, while others are charging a nominal fee. For example, the UP Government has recently launched Maa Ki Rasoi, a community kitchen where people can get meals at just Rs 9.
Anna Daan Drive At Maha Kumbh In Prayagraj
One of the organisations running at the forefront of Anna Daan drive at Maha Kumbh is Iskcon, a sacred society driving the Hare Krishna Movement. If you visit Iskon Juhu, Mumbai, and Vrindavan websites, along with others, you will notice that they are conducting anna daan drives for Maha Kumbh Mela 2025.
While the organisation has pledged to feed devotees in Prayagraj, it is offering a space to devotees around the world to donate, starting at Rs 1,000 for 20 meals. You can donate up to 10,000 meals for Rs 5 lakh.
The UP Government invited The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-profit trust of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) to feed people. Apart from this, other religious communities like Bhakt Vatsal and government organisations are also driving this noble cause.
What Do Meals Under Anna Daan Include?
In almost every religion, feeding a hungry soul is the most charitable act. Hence, many are also donating through anna daan drives if they cannot make it to Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Whether you are donating meals or grains, the dishes that are reaching pilgrims includes jeera rice, khichdi, ghee rice with rajma, pickle, jaggery, dal, chhole, pulav, and theri.
Apart from non-profit organisations, industrialists like Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani are also a part of Anna Daan drive. While Adani has partnered with Iskon, Reliance Industries has entered the space through its subsidiary, Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RPCL).
They will be setting up ‘Campa Ashram’, a private and exclusive space where devotees can relax and indulge in refreshments. Ketan Modi, CEO of RPCL, said, “Our participation in Maha Kumbh is a gesture of respect and reverence for this spiritual congregation.”
