After much anticipation and uncertainty, I finally made it to Mahakumbh—an experience of a lifetime! All credit goes to my uncle, whose unwavering determination and curiosity made this possible. At one point, I had almost given up looking at exhorbitant air fares, on attending this once-in-144-years event, resigning myself to the thought that I might have to wait for my next janma (birth).
Then, out of nowhere, my uncle discovered that a flight from Prayagraj to Bangalore was available for ₹11,500. This sparked a new possibility, and we worked backward to plan the entire trip. He found a special bus service operated by Streamline Travels that would take us to Prayagraj—a premium BharatBenz bus journey lasting 36 hours. With my uncle laying out the initial blueprint and my cousin Krishna who had been to Kumbh a few weeks back, helped to refine the plan, everything started falling into place. We were all set to embark on this spiritual adventure on February 21st.
Onward Journey:
On the night of February 21st (Friday), we boarded the Streamline Travels bus from Bangalore. The route took us through Hyderabad, Nagpur, and Rewa before finally entering Uttar Pradesh (Prayagraj).
However, the last stretch of our journey tested our patience. The congestion was overwhelming—at one point, it took us five hours to cover just three kilometers! It seemed like devotees from all across southern UP, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka had converged for this grand occasion.
We were originally scheduled to reach Prayagraj by 8:30 AM on February 23rd, but due to unexpected delays, we only managed to arrive at 6 PM that evening—almost a full day behind schedule!
Finding Shelter in the Chaos
Exhausted yet thrilled to be there, we took a local bike ride to Parakala Mutt, where we had booked our accommodation. However, upon arrival, we realized that the massive influx of pilgrims had caused an overbooking crisis, and our reserved rooms were no longer available.
With nowhere to stay, we scrambled to find alternatives. Just when it seemed impossible, luck was on our side—a last-minute cancellation at Ganga Niwas Lodge secured us a decent room. The sense of relief was immeasurable!
Here are further experiences in Q&A format:
What motivated you to visit the Kumbh Mela this year?:
Initially, there was no specific motivation. However, after hearing friends and acquaintances share their experiences, my curiosity grew. Thanks to my uncle, the trip materialized effortlessly, and I found myself embarking on a journey I hadn’t initially planned.
Did you take a holy dip in the Sangam? If so, what was the experience like?:
Yes, absolutely! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The journey to the Sangam was filled with its share of hassles, but the moment we took the sacred dip, all the fatigue melted away—we felt rejuvenated and refreshed.
Getting to the Sangam effortlessly, however, is a story in itself. Our initial plan was to wake up at 4 AM and somehow make it to the Arail Ghat boating point. But after a nearly 48-hour journey, we were too exhausted to wake up that early. Uncertain about our next steps, I stepped out the night before to grab a meal at a modest local eatery. It was crowded, and after waiting for a while, I managed to find a single seat next to a couple who seemed to be from South India. Striking up a conversation with the gentleman, Ashwin, we exchanged travel plans. He mentioned that they had planned their trip meticulously for over 1.5 months and were heading to Kashi after the Sangam dip.
When we discussed how to reach the Sangam, Ashwin mentioned that he had booked a pontoon boat ride through Entartica and highly recommended it. Intrigued, I immediately called the contact number listed on the Entartica website upon returning to my lodge and secured a booking for the 7 AM ride the next morning. This serendipitous encounter made our journey much smoother than we had anticipated.
Can you share a memorable moment or encounter from your visit?
Apart from the sacred dip at the Sangam, one of the highlights of our trip was being interviewed by News Today TV about our perspective on cleanliness at the Maha Kumbh. It was surreal to share our experiences on a public platform! Do check out the full video on YouTube—here’s a screenshot from the interview.
Did you face any challenges in navigating the large crowds or reaching key locations?:
Surprisingly, the crowd management was well-handled. Kudos to the UP Police for maintaining strict crowd control, ensuring a steady flow of people, and preventing congestion at any one place. However, navigating through the traffic jams and road diversions was quite challenging. Getting from point A to point B often meant taking an auto to point C, walking to point D, then hopping on a bike to another point, only to finally reach B! It was an adventure in itself.
Would you encourage others to visit the next Kumbh Mela? Why or why not?:
Absolutely! However, I once read something that stuck with me—If you are a devotee, you must visit; if you are a tourist, perhaps you should stay back! The essence of Kumbh Mela is deeply spiritual, and while the spectacle is grand, the real experience is felt in devotion and faith.
If you could change or improve one thing about the event, what would it be?
The traffic leading into the city from the outskirts was quite chaotic. I feel the administration could introduce a permit system for private vehicles from certain directions, prioritizing public transport and buses. Additionally, navigating the congested city streets could have been made easier with shared bicycle services. Not only would this reduce congestion, but it would also promote sustainable transport options.
