Vi and Shemaroo bring Maha Kumbh Mela to your screen

The Maha Kumbh Mela, a revered spiritual gathering held once every 12 years, is underway in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025. Spanning 156 km and featuring 22 pontoon bridges, this year’s event is expected to witness a record footfall of 40 crore pilgrims, making it one of the largest human gatherings in history.

In a significant technological initiative, leading telecom operator Vi has partnered with Shemaroo to live-stream the Maha Kumbh Mela on its Vi Movies & TV platform. This collaboration aims to bring the spiritual essence of the event to devotees across India, ensuring accessibility to millions unable to attend in person.

Vi customers can live-stream key events, including the Shahi Snans on Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), and Maha Shivratri (February 26), as saints and devotees take holy dips in the sacred waters. Additionally, users can access exclusive recorded content, guided tours of Akharas, cultural performances, devotional music, and behind-the-scenes insights into the infrastructure that supports millions of pilgrims. Special features include interviews with saints and spiritual leaders, stories of Kalpvasis, and heartwarming accounts from first-time visitors.

The initiative highlights Vi’s commitment to leveraging technology to connect people with their spiritual heritage. With Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities driving 60% of new OTT viewership growth, driven by a surge in demand for local and spiritual content, Vi ensures that the Maha Kumbh Mela remains accessible to all. Devotees can access the content anytime, anywhere via the Vi Movies & TV app or the Vi app under the Movies & TV tab, powered by Shemaroo.

To enhance user experience, Vi has significantly upgraded its 4G network across India. The operator has added 46,000 new sites and increased capacity on over 58,000 sites, ensuring superior connectivity. According to Opensignal’s November 2024 report, Vi’s 4G network leads in live video experience, download and upload speeds, and gaming performance nationwide.

This partnership between Vi and Shemaroo marks a milestone in blending technology with tradition, enabling millions to participate in the spiritual grandeur of the Maha Kumbh Mela.