Pilgrims at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, venue of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
| Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena
Be ready to brave mammoth crowds (more than 40 crore people will be attending the festivities over the next few weeks) and the cold (temperatures dip till 7 degrees), but if you overcome that, the Maha Kumbh is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In this largest religious congregation in the world, crores of people, both Indians and from abroad, gather to take part in the Mela. Here are a few things you could do at the Maha Kumbh 2025:
Pilgrims at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, venue of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
| Photo Credit:
Sandeep Saxena
The holy dip
The Ganga is the main river at Prayagraj, but a short boat ride from its banks by boat will take you to the Triveni Sangam, a major destination for Hindu pilgrimages. Here, priests are ready to help you with sankalpam (a purification process before doing any puja), after which you can prepare for the rituals at Kumbh Mela, which include taking a dip and offering prayers. The Sangam is the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, and a dip in this stretch is considered to free you from rebirth and cleanse your soul. An evening experience of the Ganga aarti can also be a great experience. But be aware: the cold can be harsh. Fortunately, accommodation here includes a few luxury tent stays.
Juna Akhada sadhus during the holy dip at Maha Kumbh 2025
| Photo Credit:
Sandeep Saxena
Meet the sadhus
Some of them are fierce. Some of them are friendly. But the many sadhus who have arrived in Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela are fascinating people. Witnessing them and the shahi snan processions should be among the must-do things on your list. Be wary when you approach the naga sadhus – who are usually reticent and even violent sometimes. While some of them from the Himalayas have been meditating and practising yoga for many years now, which probably explains their quirks and capacity to withstand cold temperatures, many sadhus have renounced worldly pleasures in pursuit of spirituality, like the now-viral ‘IITian Baba’ who was spotted in Prayagraj.
A computerised lost and found centre at Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj
AI in the Kumbh
The Maha Kumbh 2025 uses technology and AI tools for ease of the million devotees. Check out the Kumbh Sah‘AI’yak, a generative AI tool that acts as a virtual companion. Its features include travel tips, event schedules and other updates to help you navigate the milling crowds. There’s also computerised lost-and-found centres here. And, if crowds make you nervous, there is a ‘Digital Maha Kumbh Experience Centre’ that brings to life the different facets of the festival through thematic zones and robotics. Said to be a fusion of tradition and technology, this centre houses, among other things, immersive virtual reality presentations of various mythological tales.
The Hanuman mandir at Prayagraj
Explore Prayagraj
Tired of the crowds and traffic near the Kumbh venue? Then, you could explore other areas in Prayagraj, that includes taking a walk near the Akbar Fort (Allahabad Fort). Or visiting the Shri Bade Hanuman Ji Temple, which has a couple of interesting stories related to it. According to one legend, Hanuman fell asleep here while once waiting for Lord Rama, which is why this temple has him in a sleeping posture with eyes wide open. Another story revolving around this 700-year-old temple involves the King of Kannauj.
Chaat and aloo tikki at Varanasi
The ghats beckon
Once you have explored Prayagraj, head to Varanasi, located 120 kilometres away. A visit to the many ghats – from the old Dasawamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat to the new-age Namo Ghat – can be a spiritually uplifting and healing experience, for, as Mark Twain reportedly once remarked, “Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as of them put together.” And when you’re at Varanasi, don’t forget to try out the delicious tamaatarchaat, malaiyyo and rabdi lassi.
(The writer was in Prayagraj at the invitation of jüSTa Shivir Jhusi)
Published – January 16, 2025 02:03 pm IST
