Maha Kumbh ~ A journey of surrender and spiritual flow

A call to the sacred

Growing up, I had always heard stories of the grandeur of the Maha Kumbh and Kumbh Melas. But never did I think I would find myself amidst the dense, thick crowds of devotees. For someone who dreads crowded elevators and loves serene experiences, this was a sheer plunge of faith.

A casual WhatsApp message from a close friend – “Planning a trip to Maha Kumbh. Joining?” – suddenly transported me to this sacred gathering. Never in my life had I imagined experiencing the Kumbh Mela, let alone the Maha Kumbh. But as they say, when the calling comes, you are drawn to a place of high energy.

Prayagraj: The flow of faith

Prayagraj, the city of the divine Sangam, in Uttar Pradesh, India stood true to its name. The energy was palpable, and I felt completely at one with the space. It didn’t feel like a crowd but like a divine flow – each person drawn by an invisible force. It was surreal to witness millions gathered, yet each one had enough space.

There was something beyond the collective human spirit orchestrating this entire event. The whole atmosphere was in sync, deeply rooted in spirituality. At the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati, a profound calmness held the grounds for all who came to take the holy dip.

The water was cold, the crowd immense, yet there was an undeniable stillness. Hundreds of boats moved smoothly, guided by boatmen who rowed with a spirit of seva and bhakti. There was no chaos, no desperation – only joy. Children happily tagged along, and families moved together in faith.

The dip wasn’t just about purification or washing away sins. Standing in those waters, I felt an overwhelming spiritual quietude. It was about being part of something larger than life – an experience beyond comprehension. Watching others surrender to the holy waters was a testament to unwavering faith.

Life, a Naga sadhu shared with me and my husband, Pratap Nair, is about flowing like the Ganga, adapting effortlessly, finding new paths. My guru Mahatria, too,  says – Flow with the flow. Stop resisting and life becomes effortless. In this acceptance, peace emerges from chaos. And in this peace, you find the divine. And then life becomes a series of miracles.

The divine spectacle: Aarti and Akhadas

As evening descended, the ghats were bathed in hues of orange and red. Chants echoed across the riverbeds, diyas shimmered as they floated on the sacred waters, and the fragrance of incense filled the air. As the sun dipped, the Ganga Aarti became an emotion – more than a ritual, it was a merging of devotion and divinity.

This convergence of people from across the world brought together cultures, stories, and traditions, making it a grand celebration of divine energy. What seemed like total chaos was, in reality, a perfectly orchestrated order.

A night with the Naga Sadhus

The highlight of my Maha Kumbh experience was an entire night spent with the Naga Sadhus. Covered in ash, they awaited their sacred embrace with Maa Ganga. Their eyes reflected longing, their hearts overflowed with love. Some were calm, others intense – but all carried an unshakable devotion.

Walking with them for the Shahi Snan was like moving with raw energy. They didn’t walk; they ran – driven by an uncontainable longing to dissolve into the sacred waters. The energy took over them. Surprisingly, it took over us too. My husband, Pratap, and I walked over 25 km that night – no hunger, no thirst, no fatigue. Witnessing the Nagas celebrate their holy dip brought tears of joy to my eyes. Like children, they jumped ecstatically, unable to contain their happiness.

At the akhada, a sadhu shared his journey – how they had renounced worldly pleasures and family ties, their only attachment now being Maa Ganga. Every visit to her was preceded by prayers to their deity (their divine father), seeking permission. Life, he said, was about flowing like the Ganges, adapting effortlessly, finding new paths.

His words resonated deeply. That’s exactly how I’ve been living for years now. As my guru, Mahatria, says – Flow with the flow. When you stop resisting, life becomes effortless. In this acceptance, peace emerges from chaos. And in this peace, you find the divine. And when the divine is with you, life becomes a series of miracles.

The water was cold, the crowd immense, yet there was an undeniable stillness. Hundreds of boats moved smoothly, guided by boatmen who rowed with a spirit of seva and bhakti. There was no chaos, no desperation – only joy. 

A journey of miracles

From the moment I said yes to my friend to my return to Mumbai after five days, the journey was about flowing with the flow. Despite roadblocks, diversions, restrictions, and high-profile visits from CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Narendra Modi, everything unfolded effortlessly.

We had the rare fortune of staying with the sadhus in their akhada and experiencing the Shahi Snan alongside them. Nothing about our travel plan changed, despite all odds. Panic could have been an option, but peace and acceptance made the journey seamless.

Finding calm amidst thousands and experiencing the divine energy in the chaos – if this isn’t a miracle, then what is?

Anchor your faith, and you will find peace in the chaos.

Har Har Mahadev! Har Har Gange!