Mahakumbh | 5 things to do at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj
The Hindu
Experience Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj by taking holy dips, meeting sadhus and visiting unique temples.
Be ready to brave mammoth crowds (more than 40 crore people will be attending the festivities over the next few weeks) and the cold (temperatures dip till 7 degrees), but if you overcome that, the Maha Kumbh is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In this largest religious congregation in the world, crores of people, both Indians and from abroad, gather to take part in the Mela. Here are a few things you could do at the Maha Kumbh 2025:
The holy dip
The Ganga is the main river at Prayagraj, but a short boat ride from its banks by boat will take you to the Triveni Sangam, a major destination for Hindu pilgrimages. Here, priests are ready to help you with sankalpam (a purification process before doing any puja), after which you can prepare for the rituals at Kumbh Mela, which include taking a dip and offering prayers. The Sangam is the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, and a dip in this stretch is considered to free you from rebirth and cleanse your soul. An evening experience of the Ganga aarti can also be a great experience. But be aware: the cold can be harsh. Fortunately, accommodation here includes a few luxury tent stays.
Meet the sadhus
Some of them are fierce. Some of them are friendly. But the many sadhus who have arrived in Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela are fascinating people. Witnessing them and the shahi snan processions should be among the must-do things on your list. Be wary when you approach the naga sadhus – who are usually reticent and even violent sometimes. While some of them from the Himalayas have been meditating and practising yoga for many years now, which probably explains their quirks and capacity to withstand cold temperatures, many sadhus have renounced worldly pleasures in pursuit of spirituality, like the now-viral ‘IITian Baba’ who was spotted in Prayagraj.
AI in the Kumbh
The Maha Kumbh 2025 uses technology and AI tools for ease of the million devotees. Check out the Kumbh Sah‘AI’yak, a generative AI tool that acts as a virtual companion. Its features include travel tips, event schedules and other updates to help you navigate the milling crowds. There’s also computerised lost-and-found centres here. And, if crowds make you nervous, there is a ‘Digital Maha Kumbh Experience Centre’ that brings to life the different facets of the festival through thematic zones and robotics. Said to be a fusion of tradition and technology, this centre houses, among other things, immersive virtual reality presentations of various mythological tales.
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