GUWAHATI: If you’re planning a trip to Prayagraj or Ayodhya from Guwahati, the trip is going to be a costly affair, with flight ticket prices skyrocketing to levels that rival international destinations.
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A quick search on a ticket booking platform on the morning of January 27 revealed that one-way fares to Prayagraj or Ayodhya ranged between ₹22,000 and ₹28,000.
In stark contrast, a flight to Singapore from Guwahati was priced at ₹18,000, while Bangkok tickets came in at just ₹10,000. Flights to Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), and Male (Maldives) were priced at ₹24,000, ₹13,000, and ₹15,000, respectively—significantly cheaper or comparable to domestic fares.
The exorbitant prices are particularly disheartening for devotees like Swarnali Mazumdar, who hoped to visit Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela with her parents. “I would have loved to be there. My parents really wanted to, but with ticket prices so high, I don’t think it would be possible,” she said.
Another Guwahati resident echoed her sentiment, stating, “I would rather do a round trip to another country, which would still be less expensive than a one-way trip to Prayagraj. With the government investing thousands of crores into the Kumbh Mela, they could have subsidised flight fares to make it more accessible for everyone.”
The high prices are being observed amidst an influx of tourists and devotees traveling to the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. However, these fares are one-way and subject to fluctuation based on the booking portal and demand.
The Kumbh Mela is taking place till February 26, 2025, at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. As per media reports, so far over 13 crore devotees have taken a holy dip in the Sangam till now.
As devotees deliberate their plans, many are left to wonder - why does a domestic pilgrimage cost more than a journey abroad?
