Kumbh Sah'AI'yak: Multi-Lingual AI Chatbot To Offer One-Of-A-Kind Experience To Maha Kumbh Mela Attendees

In a first for the Kumbh Mela, visitors and devotees from the world over will get a unique digital experience of the event through an artificial intelligence chatbot.

The AI-powered chatbot “Kumbh Sah'AI'yak” has been designed to cut through the confusion that visitors face during the event that is spread across a huge space. The chatbot will provide real-time, uninterrupted responses to visitors and serve as a free 24/7 guide, offering navigation assistance and cultural insights into Maha Kumbh mela 2025.

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, the initiative is a part of the “Digital Mahakumbh” vision. This is the first time that digitalisation has received such widespread attention at the sacred Kumbh Mela.

The chatbot is equipped with multi-lingual capability to assist pilgrims and visitors. It supports Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Malayalam, Urdu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Kannada, and Bengali languages.

The AI chatbot also provides details about various events and major programmes of the Maha Kumbh. By just scanning a QR code, users can receive a personalised Maha Kumbh certificate with their photo on it, which can also be saved digitally or printed.

Developed by the Prayagraj Mela Authority and UPDESCO, the Kumbh Sah'AI'yak app is hosted on open-source large language model provided by Ola's AI platform, Krutrim.

“The platform allows the pilgrims to easily navigate the Mela area, offering guidance on various topics such as the history, rituals, and significance of Maha Kumbh, travel and accommodation options, and key attractions around Prayagraj. Additionally, with strong security measures in place to ensure privacy and prevent misinformation, the chatbot offers a seamless, safe, and enriching experience for all attendees,” a statement by Ola Krutrim said.

Those interested in using the chatbot will have to go to the platform and ideally, register with their phone number to get the best and full experience.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 will be held from Jan. 13 (Paush Poornima) to Feb. 26 (Maha Shivratri) at Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh mela is organised every 12 years. The religious festival is anticipated to see around 400 million pilgrims and visitors from around the globe.