In its ongoing efforts to make Maha Kumbh 2025 a grand event, the Yogi Adityanath government is establishing an extensive food court in the fair area to offer devotees a taste of local cuisine, delectable sweets, and various culinary styles.
To ensure quality food services for all devotees, the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC) is developing this grand food court in Prayagraj.
The food stalls will feature a diverse selection of dishes, including delectable local specialties and delicious sweets, catering to the tastes of all devotees.
The UPSTDC has allocated a plot of approximately 25,000 square feet near the Civil Lines Cathedral Church in the Parade Ground area for the establishment of the food court. This facility will be situated along Parade Ground Road, close to the Ganga Pandal and Tourism Tent Colony in Sector-1 of the Mela Area, featuring a total of 25 food stalls, each measuring 15 x 15 square feet.
An agency will be selected for the development and management of the food court and various food stalls, with applications invited through a request for proposal (RFP).
It is important to note that once the work is awarded, the agency will expedite the development of the designated food court area to ensure it is ready months ahead of the fair.
Crores of devotees from 75 countries are expected to attend Maha Kumbh 2025, which will span three months. There will be five shahi snans during this mega festival. The first bath, on January 13, 2025, marks Paush Purnima, with the first shahi snan scheduled for January 14.
Subsequent shahi snans will occur on Mauni Amavasya on January 29, Basant Panchami on February 3, Maghi Purnima on February 12, and Mahashivratri on February 26.
During the bathing periods, it is anticipated that two lakh people will take a holy dip in the Sangam area every hour. To cater to their needs, the food courts providing food, sweets, tea, drinking water, and other essentials, will operate 24 hours a day.
The proposed operational period for these food stalls has been set at 180 days, with a minimum rental fee threshold of Rs 61.50 lakh.
The food court will feature a diverse range of cuisine styles from across the country, with a focus on local traditional ‘satvik’ food. Offerings will include baati-chokha, Awadhi thali, Banarasi thali, various types of khichdi, and Marwari, Gujarati and Jain dishes. Devotees will also be able to enjoy sweets from all over India, with a special emphasis on Bengali sweets, as well as renowned local treats.
National brand food outlets will also be present in the court. All food stalls will be designed after a German hangar. The food court, with high-quality chairs and tables, will offer ample seats to the devotees. Facilities for heating and air conditioning will be provided, and strict hygiene standards will be maintained in food preparation.
