I am writing our (the Mrs and I) Mahakumbha experience in this post… we completed our snaan on 5th February 2025. There may be far more detailed, and more engaging travelogues, but below is my sincere effort.
Our journey to Prayagraj for Mahakumbha 2025 was filled with excitement, devotion, and the joy of being part of a grand event.
The Buildup
Exactly a week ago, on February 5th, we boarded the Vande Bharat train from Varanasi to Prayagraj, filled with anticipation, excitement, and a bit of anxiety. On our journey, we met a couple from Jharkhand who were also heading to Ayodhya after their bath at the Kumbha Mela.
We arrived at Prayagraj Junction at 7:30 AM. The station’s walls were adorned with scenes from Puranas in Madhubani art. Exiting the station was easy; everyone was moving in the same direction. Despite the large crowds, there was no pushing or yelling, just excitement and cheer. People were chanting songs and shlokas.
We were looking for an electric auto when the Mrs flagged one down. We shared it with a couple from Hyderabad, and we chatted as we admired the clean streets, the Shivlinga-shaped water tanks, and the auto driver who kept us updated on PM Modi ji’s arrival for his bath.
The Last (more than a) Mile
We got off 2.5 Kms from the Sangam Ghat. The barricades and signboards directed us towards the ghat. By 9:30 AM, we reached our destination. Mrunal and I had our baths, and we chanted prayers. We carried some daal and atta from Bengaluru for donation.
By 10 AM, we had completed all three steps of the Mahakumbha 2025—snaan, dhyaan, and daan.
We then walked back towards the Akshay Vat area, visited the temple, and explored the Digital Mahakumbha Pavilion. We were with a big group from rural Rajasthan. At Bade Hanumanji Mandir, the queues were long, and it was getting really hot, though the temperature was only in the low 30s.
We found a spot under a tree and sat there for a while, as a well-travelled person had suggested. It was a great way to appreciate the diversity of people and languages. The word “Mahakumbha” was well justified.
The Digital Mahakumbha Pavillion is a must visit!
Back towards the train station
It was nearly 2 PM. The water tanker that was cleaning the streets splashed water on us, so we decided to walk back to the station. This was a good decision, as it helped us avoid the rush. We stopped at a cafeteria for some Gathiyas and Nandini milk wali chai at Chaipoint.
I had a long chat with the store manager, who was happy to see someone from Bengaluru. We also met some young people from Ahmedabad and Delhi, and it was heartening to see the younger generation taking part in the Kumbha Mela.
By 4 PM, we took an electric auto that dropped us halfway to the station. The driver was honest and charged us minimally. A second auto took us to the main station. The railway station had good arrangements for passengers, with open waiting areas and a cafeteria. We spent some time there before our train to Varanasi. The train journey was uneventful, but the paintings of India’s freedom movement on the walls, from Chandrashekhar Azad to Bhagat Singh, were memorable.
Everyone we met was positive, from the ladies performing aarti at the Ganga ghat to the policemen. We feel fortunate to have experienced the Kumbha Mela and its devotion.
Some tips
a. Be prepared to walk a lot. Carry a chatai or newspapers to sit if you get tired. Also, take an umbrella and a cap.
b. People are friendly and helpful. If you need assistance, the police are also helpful.(Unlike Varanasi, where our experience was entirely different)
c. If possible, carry some daal packets to donate. We bought 5 kgs from Big Basket before leaving. Think of it as a quick way to lose weight and earn punya.
d. Carry some food, even though there are plenty of eating options. If you’re on a short visit, stay hydrated and carry water, bananas, or cucumbers.
e. If you need to take medicines, having some food handy is a good idea.
I leave you with one image that sums up my visit—the highlight of my trip was the presence of an elderly gentleman and his spouse. My sincere respect to them.
Extra
If you’ve read this far, I hope you also read about how we first saw the hoardings for Mahakumbha 2025 in early November while travelling to Lucknow and Ayodhya. Mahakumbha wasn’t on my radar then, but I learnt later that the Mrs had already made up her mind. The significance of the event, the videos and interviews on YouTube, and the first bath on Makar Sankranti made us plan a visit.
Air fares were high, and most tents were booked, but we managed with some planning and by flying to Varanasi and taking the Vande Bharat train to Prayagraj. We stayed at a hotel near the railway station, which had over 80 percent guests from Bengaluru. This immediately made us feel at home in Varanasi!
Aabhaar for reading. For any comments or feedback about this document, write to me via web: www.amarvyas.in; email: contact@amarvyas.com.