Mahakumbh – How can true spirituality coexist with such worldly distinctions!

Prayagraj / New Delhi: According to Hindu tradition, a dip in the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati during this auspicious period is believed to absolve sins and pave the path to salvation. The origins of the Kumbh are steeped in the Puranic tale of the Samudra Manthan, where drops of divine nectar (amrita) spilled at four locations, Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain, sanctifying these sites forever.

Couple of days back I had visited Prayagraj to experiene the divine spirit at the Mahakumbh.
The pleasure and joy to watch the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna that had transformed into a temporary city, sprawling across the Sangam area was mind blowing.

What I saw was colourful tents of all sizes and hues have sprung up, creating an awe-inspiring sight. These tents house spiritual discourses, yoga sessions, cultural programmes, and temporary dwellings for millions of devotees. The air is filled with the aroma of traditional Indian delicacies, as numerous eateries and food stalls cater to the surging crowds. Stalls selling Rudraksha beads, saffron garments, holy books, and souvenirs stretch along the pathways, adding vibrancy to the bustling atmosphere.

The iconic Naga Sadhus, covered in  divine ash  (Pavitra Bhasm)  and wearing Rudraksha beads, take centre stage, drawing devotees and curious onlookers alike. Aghories, known for their intense spiritual practices, are seen meditating near the riverbanks, adding a mystical charm to the gathering.

The Kumbh that greets is a beautiful paradox – a swirling hurricane of humanity where the lines between the sacred and the mundane blur into something entirely unexpected.

My carefully constructed mental image shatters like a clay pot on stone steps, only to be reformed into something far more complex and, surprisingly, more meaningful.

The sight of the celebrites stripped of their glamour, dressed in simple white cotton, their faces bare of makeup, stirs something profound within me. There is an raw beauty in watching a famous personalities wait patiently for their turn to take a dip, their usual entourage replaced by the company of ordinary devotees. In these moments, I realise that fame and fortune are but floating leaves on the eternal river of spirituality.

The crowds here overwhelm my senses like a tidal wave. Bodies press against bodies, moving like a living, breathing organism with its own consciousness. The air is thick with the scent of incense, sweat, and flowers. Sometimes, the press of people triggers a primal panic in my chest, but then, mysteriously, moments of profound peace emerge from the chaos. When the evening aarti begins, and thousands of diyas set the river aglow, time seems to stand still. In these precious moments, all differences dissolve into the gathering darkness, and I feel connected to every soul around me in a way that transcends physical discomfort.

As days pass at Kumbh, my expectations continue their dance with reality. The Kumbh reveals itself not as a perfect spiritual heaven untouched by modernity, but as a living, breathing manifestation of India’s soul – complex, contradictory, and utterly magnificent in its ability to embrace both tradition and change. My heart swells with unexpected joy when I see young influencers promoting ancient Sanskrit shlokas on their social media, or when a group of international tourists joins a traditional bhajan session with genuine devotion in their eyes.

The transformation I experience is not the one I anticipated. Instead of finding escape from the modern world, I discover something far more valuable – the ability to sense the divine pulsing within the heart of our contemporary reality. Each dip in the holy waters teaches me that spirituality isn’t about escaping life’s complexities but about finding meaning within them.

As I prepare to leave, my heart full and my soul stirred, I understand that the true miracle of Mahakumbh 2025 lies not in its adherence to ancient ideals, but in its power to remain relevant while honouring tradition. I carry home not just holy water in a copper pot, but also the profound realization that in our quest for spiritual connection, we are all equal – celebrities, saints, and common seekers alike.

The Kumbh has taught me that divinity does not require isolation from the modern world; it thrives in our ability to maintain faith and seek meaning within the beautiful chaos of contemporary life, regardless of who we are or where we come from.

My visit to Mahakumbh has given me something far more precious – a deeper understanding of both spirituality and humanity, intertwined like the sacred threads that bind our ancient traditions to our evolving present.

*Dr. Narresh Purohit-MD, DNB, DIH, MHA, MRCP(UK), is an Epidemiologist, and Advisor-National Communicable Disease Control Program of Govt. of India, Madhya Pradesh and several state Health organizations.    He’s  the Principle Investigator – Association of Studies In Behavioural Science),                 Dr. Purohit is also Chief Advisor Hospitals Association  of India  and Chief Investigator  Association of Studies for Kidneycare.