In the last couple of months, our world was witness to a rare celestial event, the completion of Jupiter’s full cycle, which takes about 12 years, but this time, it was specifically aligned to all zodiac signs, and other planets as well.
It was the perfect setting for the juxtaposition of ancient history, geography, astronomy, astrology, and spirituality! Sure enough, as reports indicated, over 65 crore people came to be part of the monumental event; arrangements were made to accommodate everyone on a colossal scale, with the UP government setting up a whole district in Prayagraj; a temporary city complete with all amenities and accommodations, ensuring everyone gets their share of the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.
So many of us were blessed enough to get the opportunity to visit; so many of us were part of this event purely by chance (though somewhere deep inside, we may have been manifesting it). It was lovely to hear from so many residents about their individual experiences.
Pramod and Renu Manglik (11081) had been wanting to go but had been unable to find a way. As senior citizens, it can be scary, especially if you go alone, and especially after some unforeseen events that occurred.
Still, the desire was so strong that by chance, a family member called and said they were planning to go by air; both of them hopped on board the flight. At the ghat itself, they took a boat at 6:30 am; Pramod ji describes, “The first rays of the sun at the Triveni were enough of a visual to make the visit already worth it.”
Both of them took 11 dips in the holy water; everything just seemed to dissolve away… All the planning, the challenges, the background, the sea of people near the rivers as they lived THAT moment for which they had made the journey.
“It felt like the universe had blessed us…”
Kanak Gupta, 4152, who has just entered grade 12, also got the opportunity to visit the Maha Kumbh. In her own words, “My visit, with my parents, was overwhelming in a fantastic way.” She went with her parents and was eager to witness one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings – thousands, lacs of people all over the city, drawn by faith and devotion.
Kanak says, “Taking a dip in the holy waters was dreamy.” Though the water was cold, the moment they took a dip, she felt herself surrendering to something greater. “As I left the Maha Kumbh, there was a renewed respect for the power of faith.”
It wasn’t just about rituals; it was about experiencing something ancient yet timeless, chaotic, yet deeply harmonious.
It was so wonderful to see people from all walks of life being part of this event; all of them, looking for Moksha, even if only when they were there… What a wonderful time to be alive! It concurs with everyone who has visited (or had desired to visit), that it was a beautiful exhibition of our culture, its versatility, its range of acceptance, from strict mendicants to the mercurial Naga Sadhus, to all of us striving to do better in our daily lives, to people starting over… all of us were nothing but devotees.
As Manisha Dubey, 6251, succinctly summed it up: “In the sea of countless souls merging at Triveni, I found pure joy and bliss. Amidst the struggle, smiling faces told tales of unwavering faith. It’s only faith that carries this magic, and I felt truly blessed to be part of it.”
