English Literature – Travelogue ☆ Holy Dip of Faith: Mahakumbh 2025 : # 11 ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

☆ Travelogue – Holy Dip of Faith: Mahakumbh 2025 : # 11 ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

Standing at the confluence of the sacred rivers—the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati—we felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 had beckoned us to Teerthraj Prayagraj, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse ourselves in the celestial waters during the most auspicious planetary alignment, one that will reoccur only after 144 years.

(Beautiful sunrise as we move towards the Sangam during Mahakumbh 2025.)

As the first light of dawn painted the horizon, we embarked on our journey to the Sangam. An e-rickshaw carried us part of the way before we rode pillion on a bike, weaving through the throng of pilgrims making their way to the holy waters. The air was thick with devotion, the silent hum of prayers blending seamlessly with the awakening city.

(An early morning boat ride to the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh 2025.)

The boat ride to the Sangam was nothing short of enchanting. The river mirrored the sky, rippling with hues of crimson as the sun emerged from behind the clouds. Our boatman, a man of simple wisdom, had spent his life ferrying seekers to the confluence. His words carried the weight of timeless knowledge, as if the river itself spoke through him. Time seemed to dissolve as we floated over the vast, flowing expanse—deep, relentless, and eternal. The moment we reached the Sangam and took the sacred dip, an indescribable stillness embraced us. In that instant, all doubts and anxieties melted away. The water was cold, yet it carried a warmth that seeped into the soul, cleansing not just the body but the spirit. It was bliss—pure, untainted, divine.

(Siberian birds on the river Yamuna during Mahakumbh 2025.)

Emerging from the waters, we were awestruck by the endless procession of humanity moving patiently towards the holy confluence. Men, women, and children—many barefoot, many elderly—walked with unwavering faith, their hearts pulsating with devotion. Some had travelled for days with nothing but their trust in the divine to sustain them. What unseen force propels these millions to undertake such an arduous journey? What unshakable belief gives them the strength to surrender their worldly worries at the feet of the Almighty?

The administration had done its best to accommodate the vast influx of devotees. Temporary ‘raen baseras’ provided free lodging, while community-run ‘bhandaras’ ensured that no pilgrim went hungry. Rows of temporary toilets lined the pathways, a much-needed relief for the weary travellers. Yet, despite the meticulous planning, the sheer magnitude of over 550 million seekers compressed into a small town for a few weeks was beyond any human effort to fully contain. And yet, miraculously, the chaos found its own rhythm. Faith was the only guiding force—an invisible hand that organised the unorganisable.

We walked with the masses under the afternoon sun, attempting to understand the hearts of those around us. But the deeper we looked, the more elusive the answers became. The Maha Kumbh Mela is not merely an event—it is a phenomenon, a movement of the spirit that defies explanation. And in this realisation, our faith in the unseen deepened.

Later, seeking a different perspective, we visited the digital museum that beautifully encapsulated the grandeur of the Kumbh Mela through short films and immersive exhibits. As evening descended, the Boat Club at Kali Ghat came alive with a mesmerising laser and drone show, a fusion of technology and tradition that narrated the timeless story of the Kumbh.

Despite the overwhelming crowds at the Sangam and the tent cities, we were fortunate to find solace in the relatively peaceful Civil Lines locality. With its delightful eateries, shopping avenues, and even a PVR cinema, it provided a refreshing contrast to the spiritual intensity of the Mela. Our dinner at El Chico, an iconic restaurant, was a comforting end to an extraordinary day. Before departing, we planned to pay our respects at the Amar Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, honouring the brave son of India who had once walked these very streets.

As we prepared to leave, a quiet prayer lingered in our hearts:

May the divine essence of the Maha Kumbh Mela cleanse not just our bodies, but our souls. May it remind us of the eternal truth—that we are but droplets in the great river of existence, flowing towards the infinite. May peace and harmony reign within us, now and always.

© Jagat Singh Bisht