Mahakumbh: where euphoria, peace, tranquility, unbridled ecstasy, groundedness and incomparable heights of elation all occurred at the same time, giving the experience of totality, completeness and the end of desire itself. The largest event of the century, took place in the temporary sands of Prayagraj, at the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati from mid-January to the end of February of 2025. A once in 144 year occurrence, Mahakumbh garnered the world-wide attention of spiritual seekers and adventurists alike. It was an awesome spectacle to witness; yet another feather in the cap of “Incredible India.”
This magnificent display of the heights of human capacity left no stone unturned to ensure that every strata of society benefitted and received the maximum shower of blessings of Mahadev.
The thoughtfulness, the attention to detail, the sheer magnitude of the scope of this holy event which attracted hundreds of thousands of seekers on a daily basis, was unimaginable. People arrived barefoot, walking from their villages, some as far as southern India, carrying pots on their shoulders to bring back the holy water. There were shelters along the way where they could rest, be fed and recharge for the rest of their arduous journey powered solely by devotion. Others arrived in trucks, buses, flights, helicopters and private jets. Every individual was accommodated for according to their needs. Arrangements ranged from absolutely free to Rs.1 lakh per night for those in need of luxury. The government ensured that everyone, irrespective of their socio-economic status received uninterrupted water, electricity, food, whilst devotees and ashrams ensured nobody went without the most delicious food prepared with love or without shelter. It was inclusivity like I have never seen before. Finally, no matter how luxurious the facilities, we all dipped in the same water.
I arrived the same day Honourable Prime Minister Modiji was scheduled to take his holy dip. I expected massive security, heavy stand-still traffic, long waits, perhaps no chance of entry at all that day. On the contrary, there were no road blocks from my bus stop, no check-points, no security whatsoever. After two local rickshaw rides and a three kilometer scenic walk through the surrounding village, I walked into the large, open mela area (which had no entrance gate, no security check, no bag-check, no armed guards), suitcase in tow, to the sounds of the Hanuman Chalisa playing on the loudspeaker.
The atmosphere was one of exuberance, joy, devotion, surrender, abundance and that refreshing raw realness unique to Bharath. The variety and diversity of the people you could see was simply thrilling. Sadhus, devotees, vendors, pilgrims, philanthropists all were present with their entire being attached to one goal. The air, so palpable, was vibrating with the desire for spiritual upliftment of millions of seekers. Every kind of worship was taking place, all maths or spiritual establishments were represented and so were the common seekers with their own forms of worship. It was a kaleidoscope of spiritual practices, philanthropy, small to large businesses making enough profit to last 3 -4 generations and aspirants of various kinds from all over the world heightened by the presence of the Mahamandaleshwars and Naga Babas.
My group and I had the privilege of being under the care of Mahamandaleshwar Sri Ashuthoshanand Giriji of Kailash Math, Kashi. Being under the care of a sadhu is like being under the care of the most loving grandparent who wants to make sure you are well-fed, happy, protected, where all your needs, however big or small are taken care of and also ensuring that your every moment is filled with the maximum amount of joy and love. Mahamandaleshwarji even gave me the opportunity to give a dance performance in the presence of 108 sadhus who were called for bhiksha. I had not come prepared with a costume or jewelry but somehow everything fell in place by the time I had to go on stage. It was unforgettable.
Soon it was time to brave the largest crowd I could have ever been a part of in order to take the sacred dip. It was all exactly as they showed on television: millions of dots (people), and hardly any water to be seen. And yet, once we arrived there, zig-zagging our way through the ocean of people, somehow, miraculously, it felt like there were only 10 or 15 people in the water. The amount of space and the cleanliness were surprising for such a large gathering and the way the crowd seemed to dissipate once in the water, was magical.
The water was electric. It had a power of its own. This sacred water had the tapas of all the sadhus of the country, all the devotees, everyone had arrived with a single purpose and that purpose was held in the water. Its power could be felt coursing through one’s body. Even the mind was arrested and led to ask for things only a deeper power could fathom.
There, standing amongst hundreds of thousands of people, I felt as if there was only one. There was no second. Everything is one. ‘Ekta ka mahasangam,’ was the slogan for the Mahakumbh: A grand confluence of oneness.’ And that was so remarkably achieved.
There are no words to express my gratitude to the government of India, Uttar Pradesh and organizers of Mahakumbh for facilitating this magical, unforgettable, truly indescribable phenomenon.
beneath a banyan 
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