The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, which concluded on February 26, 2025, has sparked various skin related health concerns among devotees. Many pilgrims are returning with skin infections, and doctors are pointing to water pollution as a possible cause.
Dr. Yashwant Lal, a dermatologist at Laxmi Clinic in Ranchi, has seen a surge in patients with skin infections. He explains, “Many are complaining of persistent itching and rashes. Most cases seem to be fungal infections, likely caused by prolonged exposure to damp clothes, unhygienic conditions, and shared facilities at the Mela.”
A report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 3, 2025, confirms serious water contamination. It reveals dangerously high levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the Ganga and Yamuna at Prayagraj.
According to the report, the river water failed to meet primary bathing standards. Fecal coliform levels exceeded permissible limits at all monitored locations multiple times.
Health Risks from Contaminated Water
Fecal coliform bacteria indicate contamination from human and animal waste. Exposure to such water can cause skin infections, gastrointestinal illnesses, and other health issues. With millions of devotees taking ritualistic dips during the Kumbh Mela, the risk of infections remained a serious concern during the Maha Kumbh Mela.
However, Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Brajesh Pathak, refuted these claims, asserting that no cases of skin diseases or allergies were reported at hospitals established on the Kumbh Mela premises. He stated, “I came to know about the fake news of contamination of Ganga water and the claims that a holy dip during Maha Kumbh can cause health issues. As I look after the health portfolio, I check the registers of the hospital every day. There is not a single case of any skin disease, not even of a boil or pimple, due to taking a dip in Sangam.”
The National Green Tribunal has criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for its report on Ganga’s water quality. According to the NGT, the report lacked a detailed analysis. It has now given the state government one week to submit updated water quality reports from multiple locations at the Mela site in Prayagraj.
