In 2025, when the Maha Kumbh Mela happened, there was a huge rush and excitement in Indian people from all walks of life. While I had visited the Kumbh Mela multiple times before, this time, I had friends and contacts pinging me from all directions and sharing their Maha Kumbh plans to Prayagraj!
It was fascinating! So much hype and excitement!
“It is just a Instagram trend!“, said one of my friends. People want to click pics with esoteric Indian scenes like Naga Sadhus and other such popular images and post it on their Instagram!
“It is FOMO, only because a few influencers have posted about the event“, said another person.
Something similar is said about the crowds to Adiyogi, the iconic Shiva statue! But I don’t agree. Here’s why…
Often the Devotee Comes for Wrong Reasons… But it is a Calling Nonetheless!
I think these people don’t have excess money or time or energy. They could have very well gone sky diving or hiking or even international. To be honest, in today’s day and age with social media… there is too much going on around us. It has become much easier for us to find something to do. None of us are simply lying around wasted with nothing to do.
So, when we choose to go somewhere even for the hype or social media FOMO. We are choosing that particular place over other FOMO / hype places!
Moreover, I have met a lot of the visitors at the Maha Kumbh Mela. None, struck me as total fradulent type of visitors.
At the Maha Kumbh Mela especially, people were genuinely curious. In fact, given the cost situation – a lot of them were in their late 40s and 50s who were managing to go. Because reaching there was a task, it wasn’t easy at all!
Overall, I feel that these people have been called to the place also. Maybe they were motivated by instagram or FOMO. But it is a calling nonetheless.
Miracles Do Happen at the Kumbh Mela!
And I have to say, especially the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj, I have to admit that miracles do happen. They can happen else where also. And maybe, they are not actual miracles – they are subtle sciences which we don’t fully understand yet.
I have written a story about my Maha Kumbh Mela experience in the book “My Journey to Devi”. Know all about it here. The story traces my outward journey in the Maha Kumbh Mela along with the inward journey towards Devi!
And I must say, the impact of my experience of Maa Kali has remained alive within myself till today. And it was completely life changing.
While I am not the typical FOMO/ social media hype person. I am a genuine sadhaka and the Maha Kumbh Mela was a place where a lot of the transformation chose to happen. But… well, the proverbial Maha Kumbh Mela where deities walk … is very much available.
If you want to know my story, read my book 🙂
Kumbh Mela 2027
In 2027, I understand that there are two Kumbh Mela taking place,
Ardha Kumbh Mela in Haridwar & Simhasth Kumbh Mela in Nashik.
Well, both sound fantastic to me. They will be smaller than the Maha Kumbh. But Nashik has the intense Trimbakeshwar temple and other spots. Haridwar has the powerful Maa Ganga and more.
So, these are both, very potent places.
While I may create more content around this in the future… I would say in summary,
- Take a sadhana before your pilgrimage. A chant, a mantra, a breathing practice, a meditation, a kriya… whatever makes sense for you. Start it diligently before the trip… and then continue into the trip with dedication.
- Plan a basic trip, keeping reasonably comfortable accommodation or whatever other comforts you need.
- Go!
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