As the countdown begins for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the government launches an AI-powered chatbot equipped with multi-lingual capability to assist pilgrims and visitors. Launched by prime minister Narendra Modi and chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, the initiative is a part of the "Digital Mahakumbh" vision.

The AI chatbot Kumbh Sah'AI'yak will respond in real time, without interruption, and act as a free, round-the-clock guide, providing personalized cultural insights and navigational support.

The Kumbh Sah'AI'yak app was created by UPDESCO and the Prayagraj Mela Authority and is hosted on an open-source LLM that Ola's Krutrim provides.

Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Malayalam, Urdu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, and Hindi are all supported.

The platform makes it simple for pilgrims to go around the Mela area and provides information on a range of subjects, including Prayagraj's main attractions, travel and lodging alternatives, and the history, customs, and significance of Maha Kumbh.

Furthermore, the chatbot provides a smooth, secure, and rewarding experience for every participant thanks to robust security measures in place to protect privacy and stop false information.

Prayagraj will host the 2025 Maha Kumbh mela from January 13 to February 26. There is a Maha Kumbh every twelve years. An estimated 400 million pilgrims and tourists from around the world are expected to attend the holy celebration.

"With this innovation, we celebrate the convergence of heritage and progress, while remaining steadfast in our commitment to driving India's journey towards digital empowerment and technological independence, fueled by our investments in AI, chip designing, and cloud infrastructure," says Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal.