Maha Kumbh 2025, which commenced on January 13 and concluded yesterday (February 26), is the epitome of crowd management, crisis management, organization, and leadership.  The Kumbh Mela is traditionally celebrated at four sacred riverbank locations: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. This year, it is taking place at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. The rare alignment of celestial bodies, occurring only once every 144 years, adds to the significance of Maha Kumbh 2025. For cultural and spiritual reasons, millions of people came together. Below is a list of entrepreneurs and billionaire business leaders who took a dip during Mahakumbh 2025.

Gautam Adani

On January 21, 2025, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani traveled to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with his family to attend the Kumbh Mela.  According to Millionaire, the world's largest human gathering is not only religious but also a model for a sustainable civilization.

“We must keep in mind that, as India advances towards becoming a global superpower, our strength comes from both what we create and what we protect.  The Kumbh is a pattern for a sustainable civilization, not just a place of worship.  The Kumbh embodies India's soft power, which is based on service rather than dominance and consciousness rather than conquest.  India's real strength is found in its soul, where development is a synthesis of human consciousness and service rather than merely economic might. This is the lesson Kumbh teaches us - that true legacy is not in structures built but in the consciousness we build and that thrives for centuries. That's the real India story. That's the leadership lesson the world needs now,” says Gautam.

"True leadership lies not in giving orders but in the ability to take everyone along. Various akharas (religious orders), local authorities, and volunteers work in harmony. It's leadership through service, not dominance - a principle that modern corporations would do well to study. It teaches us that great leaders do not command or control - they create conditions for others to work together and collectively rise,” he adds.

As India strives for a $10 trillion economy, the Kumbh Mela provides special insights into spiritual technology (proven methods for managing human consciousness at scale), cultural confidence (it is a testament to cultural authenticity), and inclusive growth (it welcomes everyone from sadhus to CEOs, villages to foreign tourists).

Mukesh Ambani

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, together with his family, visited Prayagraj on February 11 to participate in the Mahakumbh Mela and perform a sacred ritual at the Triveni Sangam. He was joined by his mother, Kokilaben Ambani, and other family members, including his sons Akash and Anant, daughters-in-law Shloka and Radhika, grandchildren Prithvi and Veda, and Sisters Dipti Salgaocar and Nina Kothari. The Ambanis also visited Swami Chiddanand Saraswati Maharaj of Parmarth Niketan Ashram. During their visit to the Ashram, the Ambani family distributed sweets and life jackets.

Reliance Industries Limited has been assisting the Maha Kumbh pilgrims through its 'Teerth Yatri Seva,' a comprehensive initiative aimed at supporting the pilgrims' journey and ensuring their welfare as they gather in Prayagraj for this unique opportunity of self-exploration and spiritual blessings. Guided by its 'We Care' philosophy, Reliance is offering a diverse range of services – including wholesome meals (Anna Seva), thorough healthcare, safe transportation, and improved connectivity. Additional efforts by the company encompass Safety on the Sacred Waters, Comfortable Rest Zones, Clear Navigation, and Supporting the Guardians (which includes the administration, police, and lifeguards).

Sudha Murthy 

Rajya Sabha MP and philanthropist Sudha Murty, who participated in the Maha Kumbh for three days starting on January 21, commented on Indian culture while also urging the nation's youth to adopt spirituality and traditional practices.

"Indian culture is old and strongly urges the youth to rise, stay connected to their roots, and embrace spirituality. Also, it is very important to stay mentally and physically fit. I have long yearned to come here, and now that I've had the chance, it feels truly special,” says Sudha.

At the BVB College of Engineering in 1968, Sudha Murty was the only female student studying engineering out of 599 males.  Among the many difficulties she encountered were bullying from her peers and prejudice from the college administration.

Pieter Elbers

Indigo's CEO, Pieter Elbers, attended the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 26, joining millions at the largest religious festival in the world. The Mahakumbh in 2025 holds particular significance as it takes place after 144 years, during a rare and highly favorable astrological phenomenon. The previous occurrence of such an alignment was in 1881, making the 2025 Mahakumbh a once-in-a-lifetime experience for devotees and saints.

Pieter says, “The Mahakumbh was an experience that occurs 'once in a lifetime.' The enormity of the gathering is beyond comprehension.

This year, the number of attendees at the Mahakumbh surpassed the entire population of the United States. In just 45 days, there are 45 crores, or 450 million, visitors. The magnitude of this event is truly unimaginable.”

The Dutch airline executive says that he took a dip in the Sangam at 5 am and found a moment of peace amid the chaos.

The Sangam is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Reports suggest that Kalyan Raman, CEO of Flipkart, Aryaman Birla, Director of Aditya Birla Management Corporation Private Limited and  Nilesh Ved, Chairman of the Apparel Group, attended the Maha Kumbh Mela.

With more than 30 years of aviation expertise, Pieter is an accomplished airline business leader. Pieter, who has been CEO of IndiGo since September 2022, is overseeing the next phase of the amazing IndiGo journey, carrying out the company's mission of 'Giving wings to the nation' by bringing people and dreams together and carrying out the plan to take IndiGo "Towards new heights and Across new frontiers."