PRAYAGRAJ, INDIA, January 24, 2025 (Swarajya, by Vivek Sunder): I did a fair amount of research before heading off to Prayag. Research, however extensive, proved inadequate. No amount of preparation could have readied me for the scale, energy, and spiritual magnetism of the Maha Kumbh — a phenomenon so immense, it defies description. Yet here I was, determined to document what words could scarcely capture. There are no words in the current lexicon that capture the magnitude of the event. If “Juggernaut” is a word that entered the English language because the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is an amazing spectacle of devotion and scale, then a new word must similarly enter the lexicon called “Mahakumbh” to describe an event of epic proportions. The Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj is a phenomenon that defies description and challenges the imagination. As the 2025 Maha Kumbh unfolds, it has already established itself as one of the most spectacular gatherings in human history.


Over the 46 days of the festival, a jaw-dropping 500 million people are expected to visit the 15.5 square-mile Kumbh area, with the peak day of Mauni Amavasya (29 January) projected to see 60-80 million visitors. During my three-day stay, I encountered a vibrant diversity of cultures, languages, and kindness. I heard 26 languages spoken, including 10 foreign languages. It was a transformative experience. Amidst the devotion and grandeur, I encountered kindness, diversity, and a deep sense of spiritual purpose. From receiving blessings from nearly every sadhu I photographed, free piping-hot food from camps feeding the masses, and assistance from strangers in every direction, the warmth of humanity was as profound as the celestial significance of this event. In a gathering of 30 million people, such collective positivity and goodwill is nothing short of extraordinary. As I immersed myself in this once-in-a-lifetime experience, I came to understand the meticulous planning behind it, the profound myths that underpin it, and the awe-inspiring traditions that define it.

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https://swarajyamag.com/culture/in-photos-a-personal-journey-through-the-amrit-at-maha-kumbh-2025