Weapons and dangerous items
- Firearms and ammunition
- Knives, swords and other sharp or bladed objects
- Iron rods, lathis and similar items that could be used as weapons
- Toy or replica guns
- Explosives and firecrackers
Safety Advisory
Prohibited Items List
Security checks will be carried out at the entry points to the Mela area and the ghats, and prohibited items may be seized. These rules protect you, your fellow pilgrims and the sacred Godavari, so please leave these items at home or at your stay.
Prohibited
These items are not allowed in the Mela area and at the ghats.
Fire hazards
- Petrol, kerosene and other flammable liquids
- Gas cylinders and stoves in crowd and ghat areas
- Open fires outside designated areas
- Sky lanterns
Intoxicants
- Alcohol
- Drugs, narcotics and other intoxicants
- Tobacco, gutka and cigarettes at the ghats and temple areas
Plastic and thermocol
- Plastic carry bags
- Thermocol plates, cups and spoons
- Plastic cutlery and straws
- Plastic water pouches and bottles under 200 ml
- Plastic or thermocol decorations
River pollution
- Soap, shampoo and detergent for use in the river
- Idols, photo frames or offerings wrapped in plastic for immersion
- Old clothes, garbage or waste for disposal in the river
Equipment
- Drones without police permission
- Loudspeakers and PA systems without permission
- Laser pointers
Crowd hazards
- Glass bottles and containers
- Large suitcases and trolley bags at the ghats and crowd zones
- Tents or bedding on roads, bridges and ghat steps
- Pets and animals in crowd areas
Not Advised
These are not banned, but you are better off leaving them behind.
- Jewellery and expensive valuables
- Large amounts of cash
- Umbrellas in dense crowds (carry a raincoat instead)
- Heavy bags and unnecessary luggage
- Selfie sticks and tripods at the ghats
- Footwear that slips on wet surfaces
Rules can change during the Kumbh. Always follow the police, the volunteers and the latest official notices.