Hyderabad: With just over a week left for the Maha Kumbh Mela to conclude (Feb 26), the rush of devotees from Hyderabad to Prayagraj has increased drastically, say travel agents. They claim to be fielding dozens of calls every day from eager travellers willing to shell upwards of Rs 85,000 (per head) for a trip (travel and stay) of about 6-7 days. Until a few weeks ago, the same trip on an average cost not more than Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000.
The tents at the mela, which were priced at Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 initially, are now available for no less than Rs 40,000 (or more) per day, agents say.
As for travel, while train tickets are not available, a one-way flight ticket from Hyderabad to Prayagraj between now and Feb 26 is priced at about Rs 30,000 – five times the normal price. Many travellers are now even spending lakhs to hire vans or minibuses.
“There is a huge demand for 14 or 16-seater vehicles. People want to go to Maha Kumbh at any cost and some are willing to spend even Rs 1 lakh just for the vehicle,” said Nagesh Pampati, chairman, Travel Agents Association of India, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh chapter.
He added that he has been getting at least 30 calls a day enquiring about the Maha Kumbh package.
“When the Maha Kumbh started, I hardly got four or five calls. But now it looks like everyone wants to go. The situation has reached a stage where we have started ignoring calls as arranging for travel and accommodation is becoming difficult. Everything there is full,” Pampati said.
All this irrespective of the stampedes, slew of fire accidents or the escalated costs.
“Despite the disasters, no one is cancelling their trip. In fact, more people want to go and are ready to pay exorbitant prices for flights as it is convenient,” said Siraj Ansari, founder, United Federation of Tourism Consortium.
He mentioned that some are enquiring about overcrowded trains and violence at some railway stations, but are not willing to miss the Maha Kumbh.
Some are driving on their own and looking for travel partners on social media.
“Planning to go to Maha Kumbh, Prayagraj and Varanasi for Maha Shivratri from Feb 24 to Feb 28 by own vehicle from Hyderabad. Anyone wants to join – solo or with a friend,” posted Sri Charan Goud.
Similarly, another post read, “We are going to Maha Kumbh Mela on Feb 18 by a seven-seater car. Three people on board, we have space for two more. Is anyone interested?”
Given the massive rush, travel agents estimate a 100% jump in the count of devotees – compared to the expected number of about three lakh – from Telangana attending the Maha Kumbh.
The tents at the mela, which were priced at Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 initially, are now available for no less than Rs 40,000 (or more) per day, agents say.
As for travel, while train tickets are not available, a one-way flight ticket from Hyderabad to Prayagraj between now and Feb 26 is priced at about Rs 30,000 – five times the normal price. Many travellers are now even spending lakhs to hire vans or minibuses.
“There is a huge demand for 14 or 16-seater vehicles. People want to go to Maha Kumbh at any cost and some are willing to spend even Rs 1 lakh just for the vehicle,” said Nagesh Pampati, chairman, Travel Agents Association of India, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh chapter.
He added that he has been getting at least 30 calls a day enquiring about the Maha Kumbh package.
“When the Maha Kumbh started, I hardly got four or five calls. But now it looks like everyone wants to go. The situation has reached a stage where we have started ignoring calls as arranging for travel and accommodation is becoming difficult. Everything there is full,” Pampati said.
All this irrespective of the stampedes, slew of fire accidents or the escalated costs.
“Despite the disasters, no one is cancelling their trip. In fact, more people want to go and are ready to pay exorbitant prices for flights as it is convenient,” said Siraj Ansari, founder, United Federation of Tourism Consortium.
He mentioned that some are enquiring about overcrowded trains and violence at some railway stations, but are not willing to miss the Maha Kumbh.
Some are driving on their own and looking for travel partners on social media.
“Planning to go to Maha Kumbh, Prayagraj and Varanasi for Maha Shivratri from Feb 24 to Feb 28 by own vehicle from Hyderabad. Anyone wants to join – solo or with a friend,” posted Sri Charan Goud.
Similarly, another post read, “We are going to Maha Kumbh Mela on Feb 18 by a seven-seater car. Three people on board, we have space for two more. Is anyone interested?”
Given the massive rush, travel agents estimate a 100% jump in the count of devotees – compared to the expected number of about three lakh – from Telangana attending the Maha Kumbh.
