logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
17m 48s

India's $30bn festival

Bbc World Service
About this episode

The festival of Kumbh Mela is estimated to attract 400 million Hindus and other visitors from around the world.

The 45-day festival is a massive economic engine, injecting billions in the economy of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which is hosting the event. And this year, it is a Grand Mela, which only happens once every 144 years.

From big businesses to street vendors and hotel owners, to major brands and digital entrepreneurs, all are looking to cash in on the influx of visitors.

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Presented and produced by Devina Gupta

(Image: Shoppers next to a toy stall at Kumbh Mela in 2023. Credit: Getty Images)

Up next
Today
Kidnapping for ransom
We look at the rising threat of kidnap for ransom. In West Africa, it's a growing criminal industry.But how should any of us respond if or when the worst happens to us and a loved one is taken?If you'd like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co. ... Show More
17m 28s
Yesterday
Why are more people suing businesses?
From humble beginnings in England in the 12th century, to landmark civil rights court cases in the US in the 1960s, class actions are now rarely out of the headlines.They’re a means of bringing together large groups of people – sometimes millions – under the umbrella of a collect ... Show More
17m 28s
Mar 9
The book that built the modern economy
250 years ago, on the 9th of March 1776, a book was published that didn’t just explain the economy, it changed it. The Wealth of Nations, written by "the father of economics" Adam Smith, sparked debates that still rage today, shaping everything from global trade to how much you e ... Show More
17m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
Maha Kumbh: Business in Blessings
From Eveready torches to luxury tents, and from ash-smeared sadhus to Instagram-worthy holy dips, a spiritual extravaganza like no other, where over 400 million devotees, brands, and marketers converge in Prayagraj. They discover how spirituality is shaping India’s consumer cultu ... Show More
27m 48s
Feb 2025
Why India Will Not Be The Next China for Luxury
<p>“Will India be the next China?” is a question that’s circulated throughout the fashion industry for years. Even as its population and economy both surge, India’s cultural tapestry and fragmented retail landscape set it apart from its northern neighbour.</p><br><p>At BoF VOICES ... Show More
22m 7s
Apr 2020
Surviving the end of a trend: going beyond cupcakes with NOLA
Laila Sedky and Adel Sedky, Founder and CEO of NOLA As Founder and CEO of one of the most recognizable brands in the confectionary business, Laila and Adel understand the business of selling happiness. Their tenure at Nola saw them grow the brand beyond the flagship store in Zama ... Show More
38m 51s
Nov 2023
Diwali starts today, here's an explainer
Today marks the start of the five day Hindu festival Diwali. Jesse speaks to his RNZ collegue, journalist Gaurav Sharma to tell us more about the celebration and its meaning. 
10m 31s
Jan 2020
Bringing art to the masses: How TAM is trying to democratize the art scene
TAM Gallery, formerly Arts Mart, started off as an online gallery that aimed to give new artists a chance to break into the Egyptian art world. Fast forward less than a decade later, TAM has three arms each aiming to give new artists and entry into the commercial world — and to b ... Show More
29m 22s
Mar 2025
When Indian Consumers Shape Global Trends
India has been experiencing a rapid transformation over the past decade. The government has made massive investments in physical and digital public infrastructure, and its share of affluent consumers has grown considerably. It’s also young – over half of India’s 1.4 billion peopl ... Show More
31m 21s
Apr 2024
Why the BJP’s fortunes in Tamil Nadu may change
Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Thursday, April 18, 2024. My name is Nelson John. Let's get started: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party released its manifesto last week. While most of ... Show More
6m 28s
Aug 2023
Michael Baltutis, "The Festival of Indra: Innovation, Archaism, and Revival in a South Asian Performance" (SUNY Press, 2023)
Michael Baltutis' book The Festival of Indra: Innovation, Archaism, and Revival in a South Asian Performance (SUNY Press, 2023) details the textual and performative history of an important South Asian festival and its role in the development of classical Hinduism. Drawing on vari ... Show More
48m 23s