Kumbhathon:
City as a Sandbox
The Kumbhathon is a year-around buildathon identifying, prototyping and scaling dual purpose solutions that address challenges of Kumbh Mela as well as long term issues in any urban city. Kumbhathon is more than a gathering; it’s a dynamic hub for technological innovation. We go beyond traditional hackathons or religious pilgrimages. We uniquely blend science, technology, and spiritual congregation.
Kumbhathon
Startup Festival January 2025
Building on the success of Kumbhathon 2015, we’re inviting startups and innovators to the Kumbhathon Startup Festival from January 4-6, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom, City Center Mall, Nashik. This AI-powered event transforms the Kumbh Mela into a “living lab” for urban innovation, tackling the pressing challenges of rapidly growing cities.
More than a hackathon, Kumbhathon Startup Festival is about sustainable, scalable solutions. Innovators gain access to a unique sandbox environment for real-time experimentation, collaboration, and solution development—all contributing to a safer, AI-powered Kumbh Mela.
Kumbhathon 2015:
Digital First Kumbh Mela
Kumbhathon 2015 marked a pivotal step toward integrating cutting-edge digital innovation into the traditional Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest religious and cultural gatherings. The initiative aimed to address challenges like crowd management, waste disposal, and healthcare through technology-driven solutions. By leveraging IoT, mobile applications, and advanced data analytics, the event successfully demonstrated how digital tools can enhance the experience for millions of pilgrims while ensuring safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Learn more about this transformative approach on the official Kumbhathon website.
Achievements
What We Have Achieved Together in 2015
Buildthon 2024
Buildthon 2024 successfully brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers in Nashik for a two-day event on August 16-17. Hosted under the Kumbhathon platform, the event focused on addressing urgent urban challenges using technology, AI, and human collaboration.
Participants engaged in workshops, discussions, and sessions across Health-Tech, People-Tech, Sustainability, and AI for Social Good, collaborating with industry leaders, government officials, and experts to develop scalable, impactful solutions. Key sessions highlighted AI’s potential in health, agriculture, and crowd management, laying the groundwork for an “AI-First” Kumbh Mela by 2027.
Thematic Areas
Let's Reimagine the Kumbh Mela
with Groundbreaking Solutions Across:
Health Tech
Transforming public health with cutting-edge innovations and safety solutions for a healthier, more resilient future.
People Tech
Revolutionizing the pilgrim experience and ensuring efficient, safe crowd management through advanced technologies and smart solutions.
Sustainability
Environmentally conscious solutions, from waste management to water conservation.
Food Tech
Solutions for sustainable food managemnent and distribution.
Spiritual Tech
Using tech to transform the Kumbha Mela experience.
Infra Tech
Design and implement innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency, safety, and scalability of urban spaces.
AI for
Social Good/
Governance
Leverage artificial intelligence to address societal challenges and improve the quality of life.
Art & Culture Tech
Innovating for cultural preservation and engagement
Themes
Our Partners & Collaborators
