Prayagraj: The UP tourism department has made arrangements for a ‘tent city’ by offering 5,000 luxury tents for the discerning pilgrims to the Kumbh Mela on Arail road.

Keeping high-profile NRIs and foreigners in mind, on offer are Maharaja Tents and Swiss Cottages, with state-of-the-art facilities and decorations in Rajasthani motifs and patterns.

Besides, private players including Indraprastham, Kalpavriksh and Aagman India have been roped in to provide foreign pilgrims a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The venue will be an amalgamation of various Vedic rituals and heritage.

To attract a wider clientele, dormitories with basic facilities have been set up for Rs900 on regular days and Rs1,200 on peak days by Kalpa Vriksh. In the field of hospitality for four generations, Kalpa Vriksh also has cottages and luxury villas ranging up to over Rs. 10,000 per night catering to the demands of the privileged class.

Indraprastham is offering 5-star facilities in its 1200 cottages categorised as villas, super deluxe and deluxe residencies priced at Rs32,000, Rs16,000 and Rs12,000, respectively, a night (inclusive of meals).

Vikram Sindwani, hospitality head of Indraprastham City, says: “Our Company alone has been provided with 54 acres of area and all our cottages have been set up on platforms. We have built our own restaurants that will serve pure vegetarian food in eco-friendly stoneware crockery. The chefs are from different regions including north India, south India, Gujarat, West Bengal and Rajasthan. Since we have a large number of foreigners and NRIs staying with us, arrangements have been made to serve Continental food as well.”

Indraprastham has also set up 108 havan kunds (sacred structures) in the form of Swastika (a geometrical figure and an ancient religious icon), wherein 111 brahmin priests will be chanting mantras all through the Kumbh festival. Astrologers are an added attraction for the tourists.

In addition to boat rides and guided tours, for those living in the tent city, arrangements have been made to take a dip in the holy waters — away from the maddening rush. Three ghats (river banks) have been dedicated for the distinguished guests.