Mahakumbh 2025: National Book Trust’s reading lounge becomes a major attraction for devotees

Mahakumbh 2025: National Book Trust’s reading lounge becomes a major attraction for devotees

As millions of devotees take a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during Mahakumbh 2025, the fairgrounds are also witnessing a confluence of literature, culture, and knowledge as per a press release issued by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday. Various exhibition pavilions set up at the event are drawing large crowds, with special initiatives by the Central Government ministries to educate visitors about government schemes and achievements using modern technologies.

One of the key highlights of this intellectual initiative is the National Book Trust’s (NBT) Reading Lounge, which has emerged as a major attraction at the Mela. Set up inside the Namami Gange Pavilion in Sector 1, Parade Ground, Prayagraj, the lounge offers a unique opportunity for devotees to immerse themselves in literature for free. With a diverse collection of 619 book titles, including works on Indian philosophy, culture, and the significance of the Kumbh Mela, the lounge provides a literary retreat amid the spiritual atmosphere of Mahakumbh.

Catering to the varied interests of visitors, the lounge features books such as Kumbh Ke Mela Mein Mangalvasi, Bharat Mein Kumbh, and A Visit to Kumbh. Recognizing the linguistic diversity of devotees, NBT has ensured the availability of books in multiple languages, allowing non-Hindi-speaking visitors to benefit from this initiative. Additionally, books authored by young writers under the Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana are prominently displayed, promoting emerging literary talent.

NBT’s Marketing Officer, Ashish Rai, highlighted that books focusing on Indian culture are in high demand at the Mahakumbh. Titles like The Ganga, Veda Kalpataru, and Ancient Tamil Legend have garnered particular interest among non-Hindi-speaking devotees. Furthermore, those who wish to purchase books can avail themselves of a special 25% discount.

To expand the reach of literature at Mahakumbh 2025, NBT has also introduced the ‘NBT Pustak Parikrama’ (Mobile Book Exhibition), featuring 1,150 book titles. A dedicated mobile book exhibition bus is making rounds across the Kumbh campus, enabling devotees to explore and purchase books conveniently. Also, visitors are being introduced to the Ministry of Education’s National E-Library, with demonstrations on how to install the National E-Library app and access thousands of e-books through QR code scanning.

The NBT Reading Lounge is not just an intellectual hub but a bridge connecting devotees to religious, spiritual, and contemporary literature. By blending faith with knowledge, this initiative is transforming Mahakumbh 2025 into an extraordinary confluence of culture, literature, and digital learning.