NEW YORK, Feb 26: Distinguished professors from Harvard University discussed the balance between tradition and technology, as well as the interplay of commerce and spirituality at the Maha Kumbh.
They shared insights on the world’s largest religious gathering, which is nearing its conclusion this Wednesday.
The event featured renowned speakers such as Tarun Khanna, Jorge Paulo Lemann Professor at Harvard Business School, Diana Eck, Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies at Harvard Divinity School, and Tiona Zuzul, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School.
The professors reflected on their on-site research during the 2013 Kumbh Mela and examined various facets of this year’s pilgrimage, covering topics from spirituality and engineering to administration, and the synergy of tradition, technology, and economics.
In his address at the event hosted by the Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Pradhan, Khanna emphasized key themes of scale, sanitation, and technology within the Kumbh Mela.
“As a scholar, I find the coexistence of tradition and technology fascinating, as it shapes societal development. We preserve certain core traditions while integrating technological advancements,” Khanna remarked.
He noted that the Kumbh Mela serves as a unique platform to observe how technology is woven into religious practices, highlighting the innovative layers of technology observed at this gathering.
Khanna further commended the cleanliness of the 2025 Kumbh, aptly named the ‘Swachh Kumbh’.
He also praised the digitized “lost and found” services at this year’s event, calling it “super interesting” as it directly reflects the intersection of tradition and technology.
Eck, during her presentation, emphasized the Kumbh Mela’s remarkable infrastructure, which is rapidly constructed, encompassing engineering teams, electricity grids, health services, and local businesses built in a very brief time.
She noted, “The Kumbh Mela is an excellent example of rapidly creating functional structures with basic materials, an approach that could be valuable for various global contexts, such as temporary housing for displaced populations.”
She asserted, “Such skills will remain vital in the future.”
Eck further celebrated the technological advancements made at the Kumbh, describing them as “extraordinary.”
Zuzul, who first visited India for the Kumbh in 2013 as part of Eck’s research team, discussed the evolving business landscape and the economic opportunities presented, along with logistical challenges and solutions.
Zuzul expressed eagerness to return for the next Kumbh around 2037, stating, “I am excited to witness how the intersection of commerce and spirituality continues to develop. It is crucial for both government and businesses to consider the kind of Kumbh we aim to create and the commercial opportunities it presents, while also preserving its spiritual essence.”
Khanna suggested that organizers should focus on sharing invaluable lessons from one Kumbh to the next, not just in 6–12-year cycles but continuously.
When asked about successes and areas for improvement from this year, Zuzul remarked, “I was particularly impressed by the thoughtful infrastructure designed to ensure a smooth Kumbh, such as the number of toilets and AI cameras to monitor crowd sizes.”
“Changing human behavior requires time and cannot rely solely on these mechanisms. I believe we will see more initiatives aimed at gently influencing behavior in future gatherings,” she added.
The Maha Kumbh Mela began on January 13 in Prayagraj, at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Sarasvati, and will wrap up on Mahashivratri this Wednesday.
The Uttar Pradesh government reported that a staggering 600 million devotees have attended this year’s Kumbh, partaking in holy dips at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the three sacred rivers.
Eck concluded, “Ultimately, it is the river itself that draws people—it’s the cathedral, the temple, the destination.” (Agencies)
