At the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela—a spiritual extravaganza that drew over 650 million devotees and, according to some reports, even over 660 million—the stage was set for miracles and mayhem. Amid the throngs of pilgrims, a local boatman from the Arail area of Prayagraj seized an opportunity that transformed his modest enterprise into a ₹30-crore goldmine in just 45 days.
Yet, as state leaders hailed his entrepreneurial brilliance, a deeper investigation uncovered a troubled past riddled with violent crimes and familial discord. The story of Pintu Mahara is not just about astronomical earnings and bold gambles; it is a tale where divine opportunity collides with dark, long-standing shadows.
A Festival Of Miracles And Opportunities
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 was more than just a religious gathering—it was an economic phenomenon. With the 2019 edition witnessing an influx of 240 million devotees and this year’s celebration reportedly attracting over 650 million (and even over 660 million) pilgrims, the festival became a playground for opportunists and entrepreneurs alike. The sheer volume of devotees presented an unmatched prospect for service providers to earn substantial profits.
In this charged atmosphere of devotion and commercial potential, local businesses had to adapt quickly. For many, the Mela was a once-in-a-lifetime event where strategic decisions could yield life-changing profits. For Pintu Mahara, it was the perfect moment to bet on expansion and secure a future that many could only dream of.
The Expansion That Changed A Life
Faced with the swelling tide of pilgrims, Mahara made a daring decision to ramp up his operations. With a legacy spanning decades in the boat business, he bet on the surge of devotees by expanding his fleet from 60 to 130 boats—a move that would soon reverberate as one of the most talked-about gambles of the festival.
In a bid to seize every opportunity, he even claimed that he sold a woman’s jewellery at home to fund this expansion.
In his words, he explained the calculated risk he took: “I have been in the boat business in Prayagraj for decades now. Earlier, I had 60-70 boats which I used to run since 2019. When I saw the influx of devotees during the Kumbh in 2019, I could fairly anticipate the kind of influx that would come to Maha Kumbh in 2025. This was when I decided to put all my savings into buying new boats before Maha Kumbh.”
This personal admission paints a vivid picture of a man ready to risk everything for a game-changing opportunity.
Celebrated Success And Astounding Figures
The financial rewards of Mahara’s bold expansion were nothing short of staggering. Over a span of 45 days, his fleet amassed a profit of ₹30 crore—a figure that captured the imagination of both devotees and state authorities. Each of his 130 boats reportedly earned an average of ₹23 lakh, with daily revenues reaching between ₹50,000 and ₹52,000 per boat.
Such impressive statistics quickly became the talk of the state. In a celebratory address in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared, “I am telling the success story of a boatman’s family. They have 130 boats. In 45 days [of Maha Kumbh], they made a profit of ₹30 crore… This means each boat has earned ₹23 lakh. On a daily basis, they earned ₹50,000-52,000 from each boat.”
This glowing tribute not only immortalised Mahara’s achievements in political rhetoric but also turned his strategic gamble into a symbol of visionary enterprise.
Also Read: YouTuber Shows Human Waste And Garbage At Sangam, Maha Kumbh
Unmasking A Notorious Past
Behind the dazzling figures and widespread acclaim, a far more sinister narrative lurks. Investigations by local police and media outlets, namely The Print and Amar Ujala, have revealed that Pintu Mahara’s rise is marred by a string of grave criminal allegations.
Despite his newfound fame, records show that he is a known history-sheeter, with multiple cases pending against him for serious offences. Among the accusations are a notorious double murder in 2009 in Lokpur, Naini—where he, along with his brother Arvind and two accomplices, was allegedly involved in the killing of Anirudh (alias Barru Nishad) and his younger son, Chhagan Nishad—and a separate murder case from 2017. Additionally, he faces charges of attempted murder and extortion.
On 11 February 2025, the Maha Kumbh Mela police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against him and seven others for extortion and harassment. According to Arail resident Shani Nishad, the accused assaulted his brother, Pintu Nishad, and demanded ₹5,000 from each boat operator, further alleging that before this, they had forcibly taken ₹8,000 from both brothers.
Family Ties And Vicious Feuds
The controversies surrounding Mahara extend deeply into his family history. His father, Bachcha Mahara, was notorious for having several cases registered against him and ultimately died while undergoing treatment in jail.
His elder brother, Anand Mahara, was also a history-sheeter who met a violent end when he was murdered on a boat in the middle of the Yamuna River, while another brother, Arvind, continues to be under police scrutiny.
Adding to the tangled web is a longstanding feud with the Ganjia family in Naini. This bitter rivalry has claimed many lives over the years—Pappu Ganjia once narrowly escaped a violent ambush in Gaughat, and the Mahara clan harbours a deep vendetta against Gagan Nishad following the murder of his father, Barru. These familial and inter-clan conflicts underscore a legacy of violence that runs parallel to the financial success celebrated at the Mela.
The Call For Accountability
While Mahara’s financial triumph was celebrated by state leaders, it also ignited a political firestorm. Opposition voices argue that glorifying a man with such a notorious criminal record sends the wrong message.
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate sharply questioned the decision, stating, “Just think, how could the glorification of a notorious criminal be orchestrated in the Assembly under your watch?” Her criticism resonates with a growing chorus demanding that accountability should never be sidelined in the face of economic success.
Political heavyweights have not held back their discontent. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai remarked, “A boatman earning ₹30 crore is nothing but an example of a big extortion racket that existed in Kumbh. The boatmen have extorted heavy sums of money from pilgrims, and the government has failed to impose any checks over this loot.”
Former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav added, urging further inquiry: “Let the truth of this news be investigated. If it is true that a single family earned ₹30 crore alone in the Maha Kumbh, then tell us how much GST was collected. First, an MoU was signed with a thug, and now, in the House, praise was blindly showered upon the named individual.
Now it’s time to open their eyes. It is precisely because of these reasons that criminals have become emboldened under the BJP government.”
Meanwhile, The Print reached out to Mahara via calls and messages, but a response is still awaited.
The saga of Pintu Mahara is one of extraordinary highs and equally alarming lows—a narrative where an opportunistic gamble at one of the world’s largest religious gatherings collides with a murky history of crime and violence.
His strategic expansion during the Maha Kumbh Mela turned a modest boat business into a ₹30-crore empire, earning him accolades from state leaders and admiration from entrepreneurs.
Yet, the story is far from a simple tale of success. It forces a reckoning with the uncomfortable truth that monumental financial achievements can sometimes be built on dark, unspoken foundations—and that true progress must be measured by both prosperity and accountability.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Print, Economic Times, Amar Ujala
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: Maha Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj, Pintu Mahara, Boatman Success, Financial Miracle, Dark Past, Political Controversy, Business Opportunity, Religious Festival, Bold Decision, Criminal History, Sensational Story, Accountability
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