What we had to overcome just to get to the Mela, leave alone have a divine experience
By Choodie Shivaram
The first quarter of 2025 was overpowered by the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj. Literally all news channels and newspapers were full of stories of various dimensions. Whatsapp and social media were flooded with personal accounts of people at the Mahakumbh, unverified forwards, blends of truth and misinformation. FOMO (“Fear of missing out”) was driving people crazy. From celebrities, believers, non-believers, to the common man, everyone wanted to head to the Mahakumbh.
I was extremely fortunate to have covered the 2010 Kumbh Mela at Haridwar for Hinduism Today. Some of the most divine mystical experiences I have had are etched in me for a lifetime. Contented with this, I had no plans to go for the Mahakumbh. Having heard about my divine experiences at the Haridwar Kumbh, my daughter Gayathri was determined to experience the Mahakumbh. She thought I was a veteran and would enable her to have such experiences. With the surging crowds, non-availability of accommodation, extensive restrictions where people had to walk for miles and miles—I had no hope we would make it happen. All our efforts to get accommodation were met with a negative. I resigned myself from the idea, but my daughter wouldn’t give up; her resolve was firm.
In nothing short of a miracle, just days before the Mahakumbh was to conclude, everything worked in our favor. It was like God had just put the jigsaw puzzle in place. Accommodation at Prayagraj, transport and even trips to Ayodhya and Kashi on Shivarathri just worked out.
To my daughter, going to the Mahakumbh was a guarded secret; a very sacred sentiment for her. She is part of a generation where boundaries of respect are violated when it comes to one’s faith and beliefs. For ten weeks we were moving heaven and earth to enable us to go to the Mahakumbh. She didn’t want people to make negative comments and portend negative energy.
Media was rife with horror stories of stampede, unhygienic conditions and waste matter polluting the river. We are surrounded by a society where everything to do with Sanatana Dharma is judged; there is personal space when it comes to living life a certain way, but not when it comes to other people’s religion, especially Hinduism. Offices have very stringent policies and guidelines when it comes to not interfering or making comments about gender, sex, sexual orientation, but somehow people think it’s OK to impede on this sacred space of religious beliefs of a Hindu.
Word got around that my daughter was heading to Prayagraj. Friends and people in her workplace started sending her articles about the crowds, poor sanitation and river pollution. Her personal space and spiritual beliefs were being violated; efforts were on to discourage her from making this trip. It even went to the extent of mocking at her wanting to take a dip in the “contaminated river.”
My daughter’s determination and unflinching faith in Sanatana Dharma set the tone for what was to be the most miraculous journey over the next few days. The drive from Ayodhya to Prayagraj (we were advised to reach Prayagraj by 5 am) was the first experience. Around 3 am, twenty miles before Prayagraj, roads were blocked, leaving us with prayers and crossed fingers that went stiff. Suddenly, a few vehicles were allowed to pass and we got out. Every road leading to Prayagraj was closed. In a smart move, my son-in-law negotiated with the villagers to help us bypass the blocked roads and led us to Prayagraj through the narrow lanes of the village. We just about made it into the city without any hindrance!
God’s mercy is unfathomable; the entrance to the jetty that would take us to the Sangam was barely a few feet away from our accommodation. We hardly had to walk. The boats took us to the heart of the Sangam for a peaceful dip. What more could we ask for?
For my daughter, it was a dream fulfilled, a lifetime experience she had yearned for. It was around 6 am, the Sun was rising, and she was able to see the colors of the Sangam. There were no crowds. She must have taken 30 or more dips, going back into the river again and again, walking deeper into the Sangam. She couldn’t contain her emotions of feeling that she had touched God. Beaming with newly acquired radiance, she said, “I feel so cleansed. There was not even a speck of worry or thought about all the negative reports of pollution. You are consumed by just Her (Ganga’s) purity. She is so pure, faith overpowers, nothing else matters, we forget the world.” It was like she was in a trance.
My daughter had collected water from the Sangam. It looked muddy with sediments. On returning to Mumbai, fifteen days later she found that it had turned crystal clear with no trace of any sediment.
I couldn’t thank God enough for enabling the most contented trip to the Mahakumbh, for enriching my daughter’s faith in Sanatana Dharma. Her steadfast devotion had won; no one can shake the firm faith in a Hindu.
About The Author
Choodie Sivaram has been a journalist for over three decades. She writes on current affairs, policy matters, constitutional and legal issues, heritage and culture. She wrote and directed the documentary, “At the Altar of India’s Freedom—The INA Veterans of Malaysia,” produced by the Indian High Commission in Malaysia. Choodie holds degrees in journalism and law.
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