I was always fascinated by the Kumbh mela and had a dream to visit the same, some day. Over the last many years, every time ,the Kumbh mela was announced, I looked at the crowd and decided not to venture out.

This year, I took the plunge. They say, this year is special, as it is the “Mahakumbh”, which happens once in 144 years after 12 Kumbhs, as some planets fall in one line. I did a bit of planning, which I usually do and booked my travel and stay ,about three months back.

I was excited to undertake this spiritual journey ,along with my spouse. I was aware that it is going to be a tough one ,with millions of people thronging to Prayagraj from around the world, and not only India.

We landed at Prayagraj on 14th Jan 2025, the day of Makar Shankranti, one of the most auspicious days of the Mahakumbh ,for our Shahi Snan. As we left the airport, all the roads in the city ,led to the Sangam. As we approached the city outskirts, the roads were thronged by crores of devotees walking there to the Sangam or returning from there.

The roads were blocked and no four wheelers were allowed. We were stuck in traffic snarls for hours and after a lot of patient waiting ,were allowed to enter the city, when the crowds subsided a bit. The air was filled with spirituality and the atmosphere electric.

We reached our tent ,after about four hours on the road from the airport , which would be just under 20 kms. Although, it tested our patience, we were blessed, to be amongst the crowds ,in one spirit. Then a long 10 kms walk led us to the Sangam and back, for the Shahi Snan or the holy bath.

When you take a dip in the Sangam in the icy waters, your body shivers but your soul is lighted up. After you come out of the water, you feel rejuvenated and are grateful for this opportunity amongst millions of people from around the world ,to take this dip on this auspicious day. We were told more than 35 million people took a dip on this day.

Both me and my wife, are not strictly religious by nature. In our book, service to mankind is service to God. Being good to everyone around you every day and then giving back to society, in your own small ways is religion for us. But this experience ,was surreal. It has to be experienced to be believed.

It is indeed a confluence of the mind, body and soul. When this happens at a time, when many planets are aligned, one can feel the spirit within you. It gives you the strength to sustain yourself and the energy to give back to the society, in whatever ways you can.

We would like to salute the organisers of the Mahakumbh. The city was clean all over and even the Sangam was kept clean with a lot of effort from the house keeping staff. The entire city was lit and every crossing was decorated and every wall painted, across the city.

What impressed us the most, was the spirit of the people of the city. They told us, if you have any problem, ask any person on the road and they will help you. There is no religion, caste or creed in this supreme festival of the Mahakumbh. Everyone is treated alike. We were showered with rose petals, when we arrived at the airport and our entire stay for two days ,was spotless and most comfortable.

After having conducted, the marriages of my daughter and son, I thought ,I have achieved a great feat in my life. But, after having witnessed the “Mahakumbh”, one realises that whatever we achieve in life is miniscule, compared to the scale and planning involved in such events. I admire the state and central agencies for this grand event. The appropriate use of technology was also very evident in this whole exercise.

The next day I visited Ayodhya to get the darshan of Lord Ram in the newly inaugurated temple. Here again, a ten km walk ,up and down in all,was needed to get the darshan of the Lord. But the queueing system (in spite of millions of devotees )needs appreciation as all of us,as devotees could get the darshan within two hours .

The “Mahakumbh” is a testimony to modern India. We can achieve what we dream to do , through systematic planning and seamless execution.

Let the spirit of the “Mahakumbh” bring peace and prosperity to the world.

S Ramesh Shankar

17th Jan 2025