KEY FACT: Indian Railways, in collaboration with Chaincode Consulting, is introducing NFT-based train tickets for the 2025 MahaKumbh Mela, a significant Hindu festival. The initiative leverages the Polygon blockchain for scalability and low costs, with tickets accessible via the NFTtrace platform. This will enhance the travel experience for millions of pilgrims while ensuring transparency and authenticity through blockchain verification. Indian Railways, which already processes 1.2 million daily ticket bookings, has previously experimented with NFT ticketing during the Holi festival in 2024. The MahaKumbh Mela, a UNESCO-recognized cultural event, attracts global attention.
A dedicated portal to manage NFT tickets issued by the Indian Railways. Source: NFTtrace
Indian Railways to Issue NFT Tickets on Polygon for Rare Festival
Indian Railways is set to revolutionize ticketing for the MahaKumbh Mela, a Hindu festival occurring once every 144 years, by introducing non-fungible token (NFT)-based train tickets. This initiative, in collaboration with Chaincode Consulting, aims to digitize the pilgrimage experience for millions of travelers.
The NFTs will be minted on the Polygon blockchain, chosen for its high throughput and low transaction fees, to ensure scalability and environmental sustainability. These digital tickets will be accessible through the real-world assets and traceability platform, NFTtrace. Alok Gupta, CEO of Chaincode Consulting, emphasized that this partnership will enable a digital-first experience that complements the spiritual significance of the Mahakumbh, introducing a new level of engagement through NFTs.
Indian Railways, through its subsidiary, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), manages approximately 1.2 million train ticket bookings daily. The introduction of NFT-based tickets is expected to attract participants globally, introducing a unique blend of tradition and technology.
The MahaKumbh Mela holds profound cultural importance, with the Kumbh Mela, a related festival held every 12 years, recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The event has historically drawn notable figures, including actor Richard Gere, director David Lynch, and the Dalai Lama. Notably, Laurene Jobs, widow of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, is reported to attend the 2025 pilgrimage.
This isn not Indian Railways' first foray into NFT ticketing. In March 2024, a limited-time NFT train ticketing campaign was launched for the Hindu festival, Holi. During this campaign, the IRCTC described the tickets as digital souvenirs celebrating the rich cultural heritage of cities like Lucknow and Delhi.
The personalized NFTs issued by Indian Railways can be verified on the blockchain by both authorities and the public to ensure transparency and authenticity. Previously, the organization maintained records of train ticket purchases on the Hyperledger blockchain and utilized smart contracts to govern the traceability process.
The integration of blockchain technology into such a significant cultural event adds to India's collage of blockchain-based innovative solutions that enhance user experience while preserving cultural heritage. As the MahaKumbh Mela approaches, the collaboration between Indian Railways, Chaincode Consulting, and Polygon will become a notable reference point for future large-scale events which can bring tradition and technology together.
If you found the article interesting or helpful, please hit the upvote button, and share for visibility to other hive friends to see. More importantly, drop a comment below. Thank you!
This post was created via INLEO, What is INLEO?
INLEO's mission is to build a sustainable creator economy that is centered around digital ownership, tokenization, and communities. It's Built on Hive, with linkages to BSC, ETH, and Polygon blockchains. The flagship application: Inleo.io allows users and creators to engage & share micro and long-form content on the Hive blockchain while earning cryptocurrency rewards.
Let's Connect
Hive: inleo.io/profile/uyobong/blog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Uyobong3
Discord: uyobong#5966
Posted Using INLEO