Beyond Fear, Into Faith
“I have booked our accommodation in Mahakumbh Mela.”
These were the words that greeted me as soon as I picked up my phone. The excitement in his voice was so palpable that I could almost see the gleam in his eyes through the phone.
I, on the other hand, was momentarily stunned. What was he talking about? The words registered, yet they seemed like a foreign concept to me at that moment.
My mind raced with questions. “What? How? When? Where?” I blurted out instinctively, trying to grasp the sudden turn of events.
My husband chuckled, knowing that he had caught me off guard. “Prayagraj, next year! I just finished the booking. We are going to experience the Maha Kumbh Mela in its full glory!”
During my childhood, I often listened to my father share the invaluable experiences he had at the Kumbh Mela. He spoke of the saints and seers he encountered and how their wisdom helped him find answers to his deepest questions. The most extraordinary gift, he said, was the darshan of so many enlightened souls in one sacred place—an experience beyond comprehension. He would always advise us to walk with folded hands and a bowed head, for we are in the presence of such great souls at the Kumbh. To be blessed by these divine seers is a blessing like no other. I had always dreamed of attending the Kumbh Mela, but never had the opportunity to do so. The thought of witnessing the world’s largest religious congregation, of seeing the saffron-clad sadhus, the mesmerizing aartis by the riverbanks, the air thick with the scent of incense, and the holy waters of the Sangam pulling millions into its divine embrace—it was something I had only imagined.
Still, it was five months away. The enormity of it hadn’t sunk in yet. So, I simply replied, “Good. Looking forward to it.” And with that, I returned to my work, letting the thought settle in the back of my mind. As days passed, the anticipation began to build. Social media was abuzz with stories, photos, and updates about the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela. I found myself drawn to articles, reels, and interviews of people who had attended previous Kumbh Melas. The stories were fascinating—tales of spiritual awakening, chance encounters with sages, the surreal experience of taking a dip in the Triveni Sangam at the break of dawn, and the overwhelming sense of unity despite the chaos.
Some posts wrote in detail how the celestial bodies were lining up in this unique manner after 144 years, making this an incredibly auspicious period of time. That got me excited too. I was glad we were going to be present there. But soon, stories surfaced about the unbelievable turnout that was expected—40 million people gathering at once in Prayagraj to witness the Maha Kumbh Mela.
I panicked looking at the numbers. My mind started playing tricks, dissuading me with fears of the crowd, the logistical challenges, and the sheer scale of the event. Then we heard about the freezing cold weather we would face. The thought of shivering in wet clothes after taking a dip in the holy waters made me anxious.
We quickly gathered the warm clothes we would need, preparing ourselves for the chill that would follow our sacred dip. So many questions arose—how would food and water be managed? What about sanitation? I had no idea how the basic necessities of such a massive gathering could be met.
One morning, my mother called me to tell me about a dear devotee, a cancer patient, who had already left for the Maha Kumbh Mela. She had arrived early at Sri Sri Thakur’s camp to help the brahmacharis and sanyasis as they put up the tents and arranged accommodations for the devotees who were to arrive later, batch by batch. She took charge of the kitchen and cooked for the bhandara. She prepared the bhoga for Sri Sri Thakur and all the residents three times a day. Then, in the evening, she joined the group singing bhajans in front of Sri Sri Thakur. This devotee also happened to live very close to us. My eyes widened as I listened to my mother narrate her dedication and drive. I was in awe of her resilience, her unwavering faith, her willingness to serve despite her illness.
At that moment, I told my mind to shut up. I had decided to let go of the fear, to let go of everything that was holding me back. I needed to witness the magnanimity, the greatness of the greatest gathering, as people from all walks of life converged at Prayagraj. I needed the blessing to steer my life away from all the negativity, from all the fear, shame, guilt, and frustration that had bundled up within me. It was time to put an end to wasting the valuable time left and march forward with renewed hope, renewed faith, and renewed vigour.
Two weeks before we were supposed to leave, my friend Shangita from Malaysia visited us. Seeing our excitement about the Maha Kumbh Mela, she also expressed her desire to join us. Without wasting any more time she sat down with my husband, planning her trip meticulously. Luck was on her side. When Kumbh Village informed us that she could be accommodated in our tent, Shangita’s joy knew no bounds. She returned to Kuala Lumpur, only to come back the next Sunday to travel with us to Prayagraj. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and her excitement only added to my growing anticipation. The journey was shaping up to be more than just a pilgrimage—it was becoming a shared experience of faith, devotion, and once-in-a-lifetime memories.
The Maha Kumbh of 2025 is a convergence of destiny, faith, and cosmic alignment, where millions will gather at the sacred Sangam, drawn by an ancient call that transcends time. Under the watchful gaze of celestial bodies aligning after 144 years, as Jupiter completes its revolution, the air will hum with the resonance of Vedic chants, the rhythmic clang of temple bells, and the fervent whispers of seekers surrendering to the divine. Pilgrims will step into the icy embrace of the holy waters, their spirits ignited with devotion, shedding lifetimes of burdens in a single sacred dip. It is not just a festival but a spiritual rebirth—where past, present, and eternity dissolve, leaving only the soul’s pure yearning for moksha.
Our excitement grew as we waited for our flight. There were so many instructions doing rounds on social media that my mind didn’t want to miss out on anything. It was time I took charge of my thoughts and told them to rest until I returned from the Kumbh Mela. And once I achieved that, it was a different scene altogether. I sat without any expectations, without any planning, bowing down before my Lord and plunging into the flow. I was glad to have Shangita with us, clicking pictures, not missing anything so that she could relive these moments again through her picture stories. I kept my phone down and sat calmly as I surrendered to this once-in-a-lifetime momentous journey.
The flight was full, and the destination of all of us was the same—Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj. The flight arrived on time. As we unboarded, we received a call from our driver, who was already waiting to pick us up. As we waited for our luggage, my eyes took a tour of the whole airport. The spirit of the Maha Kumbh Mela was in the air—so many pictures showcasing the various facets of this great confluence of faiths. We pushed our trolley loaded with luggage and stepped out, where our driver warmly welcomed us.
The driver was a kind, fine human being, amused by our curiosity. He reassured us that we would arrive at Kumbh Village in about an hour. As we set out, he kept pointing out landmarks—the oldest bridge over the mighty Ganga, steeped in history and faith. Soon, the tents of the Kumbh became visible in the distance, looking so colorful and picturesque from the bridge. As we crossed over, the sight of the sprawling Kumbh district came into full view—a city of devotion, rising from the riverbanks, awaiting its seekers. We passed Sankh Dwar and finally arrived at Kumbh Village in Sector 25, ready to embark on this divine journey.
... to be continued
Picture Courtesy: Shangita Namasivayam
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