Maha Kumbh 2025: Sangam city residents open homes for devotees

Residents of Prayagraj are gearing up for the Kumbh by opening their homes as paying guest accommodations. The initiative, supported by the Tourism Department, aims to provide affordable lodging while offering locals an income source. Interested homeowners can register through a simple process, receiving training and listing on official platforms.

PRAYAGRAJ: Launching ground-level initiatives to prioritize the comfort and convenience of the millions of devotees expected to attend the world’s largest religious congregation ahead of the Kumbh, residents of the Sangam City area are all set to open their homes to devotees as paying guest accommodations, fostering a homely and welcoming atmosphere. With numerous locals registering through the Tourism Department to receive training in courteous service, cleanliness, and hospitality, a toll-free and WhatsApp number has also been introduced to facilitate broader participation. The helpline is 05322408873, and the WhatsApp number is 9140398639.

This arrangement provides devotees with affordable, homely accommodations compared to pricier hotels, while offering locals a source of income and employment. The Tourism department has initially set a target of 2,000 homes offering paying guest accommodations, providing lodging and food options for devotees, with room to expand this number as needed. Regional tourism officer Aparajita Singh said that joining the paying guest scheme is straightforward.

Local homeowners can easily participate in this major cultural event by filling out a challan form at the Regional Tourism Office. Applicants need to submit room photos and proof of municipal tax payments. She added, “Once these documents are submitted, a simple verification process by the Tourism Department will follow.

After verification, the department will issue a license allowing homeowners to provide paying guest accommodations. Licensed homes will be listed on the fair administration’s website and app, enabling tourists and devotees to find available accommodations.” According to the Aparajita, the license, valid for three years, covers two to five rooms per property.

Licensed hosts receive special training from the Tourism Department in areas such as guest service, interior upkeep, marketing, security and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food arrangements. A notable advantage of this scheme is that there’s no need to pay annual fees or taxes, comply with hotel regulations, or secure an NOC. Licenses are issued with just land documents and an affidavit and homeowners can set their rental rates without intervention from the Tourism Department.

So far, 50 houses have been registered, with many more in the process..