A Pilgrimage to Mahakumbh 2025’s Spiritual Heartbeat
Born into a family that firmly believes in imbibing cultural values into their new generation, I have been brought up with great stories of famous epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. My parents also introduced me to the relevance of Mahakumbh which is another great spiritual festival observed along the banks of river Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati forming the Sangam at Prayagraj.
However, I never got a chance to witness the Mahakumbh before 2025, when I finally decided to experience the mega celebrations first-hand.
A more concentrate search on this year’s Mahakumbh Mela 2025, I discovered, that it’s not just a spiritual bathing event; but it is a celebration that dates back thousands of years, embodying spirituality, mythology, and unity. The Mahakumbh 2025 is special as it marks the completion of a cycle of 12 full Mahakumbhs thus completing 144 years.
As I scrolled through articles on the meticulous preparations made for Mahakumbh 2025, I stumbled upon a link to a dedicated app for the festival. Downloading it immediately, I was thrilled to see its comprehensive features—everything from booking flights, trains, and taxis to detailed maps of the sprawling Mahakumbh area. For a first-time visitor like me, navigating such an enormous event seemed less daunting.
The Mahakumbh at Prayagraj began on January 13, 2025, and I decided to take a dip at the Sangam on January 14, the first Amrit Snan of three major bathing dates during the 45 days Mahakumbh.
Without wasting a moment, I booked a flight from Delhi to Prayagraj. The app also guided me to the UPSTDC portal, where I found accommodation options at the Kumbh Tent City. The variety of luxury tents surprised me they had a perfect blend of comfort and authenticity for a solo traveller like me.
On December 13, I finally set out on my journey. The flight was smooth, and before I knew it, I was in Prayagraj, a city drenched in the vibrant hues of Mahakumbh fervour. The atmosphere was electric, alive with energy and devotion. An article I had read earlier echoed in my mind—“If you want to see India at one place, come to Mahakumbh.”
I checked in at the Tent city in Arail area and the sight of the tent city brought an instant feeling of delight. The serene and calm surrounding of the Tent city presented the perfect escape for late night meditation. The next day on January 14, I moved already towards the Sangam to take a dip in the holy waters.
As I reached close to the bathing area around 4 am, a sea of seers from various Akhadas were rushing towards the Sangam. Bathing among the ascetics who have survived years of tough Anusthanas (rituals) for decades, I felt blessed. The cold water on my body felt like it has awakened a more conscious self and I started looking at my surroundings with a deeper gaze understanding the essence of the celebrations.
The next few days were nothing short of transformative as it came as an opportunity to explore the site and take a dip in the holy waters at the Triveni Sangam again and engage with spiritual leaders across Akhadas.
The Uttar Pradesh state government has put up a grand show for 45 days to make every corner of the Mahakumbh city spotless. After the snan, I moved ahead towards the Akhadas where I requested one of the Akhadas head’s to help me delve deeper in the significance of the largest spiritual congregation.
It was amazing to witness how the Akhadas ardently follow the ancient Guru-Shishya (teacher-student) tradition and pass on the wisdom to the most eligible disciples. The seers I met were welcoming and generous, sharing words of wisdom that resonated deeply. It was like stepping back in time, experiencing India’s living traditions in their purest form.
Among the many attractions, two stood out vividly. The helicopter ride over the Mahakumbh grounds offered a breath-taking aerial view of the vast Mahakumbh area, tent city and the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Meanwhile, a serene yoga retreat I attended left me rejuvenated and at peace, balancing the spiritual and the physical. Every step that I walked on the serene banks of the Sangam, I was inching towards salvation from the worldly chaos and evolve as a human.
Traversing through the Mahakumbh city with the sole objective of understanding India’s vast diversity, I realized that this journey was about more than just travel. It was an opportunity to witness the unity in diversity that defines Bharat. The Mahakumbh is not just a festival; it is a confluence of faith, tradition, and humanity.
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