महाकुंभ २०२५
Part II - मकर संक्रांति - Amrit Snan
Continuing from the last post,
It is believed that drops of divine nectar fell at Prayagraj (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik—locations where the Kumbh Mela is celebrated.
At around 3:30 AM, I woke up with a plan to head for a dip. My brother, friend and I made our way to Sangam. The crowd had grown significantly as compared to the previous day. Upon reaching the bathing spot near the Sangam, we noticed several cloth-changing outlets and a few pujaris assisting devotees with post-dip rituals. The water was even colder than the previous day, and police personnel were stationed all around. A nearby pandit gently applied a tika on my forehead.
Contents
Akhadas
Local Places
Akhadas
Historically, Akhadas was established to safeguard and promote Sanatan Dharma, especially during external threats to Hinduism. At the Maha Kumbh Mela, Akhadas continued their age-old tradition of devotion, offering rituals and guidance to millions of pilgrims. Akhadas are categorised into various types, including Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Udasin, each with its unique practices and philosophies. They play a crucial role during significant events like the Kumbh Mela, where they conduct rituals such as the Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) and foster a sense of community among devotees. I had the opportunity to witness the Akhada of Naga Sadhus and a few spiritual gurus, including the renowned Golden Baba (SK Narayan Giri). You can watch some of the videos below.
Local Places
Prayagraj is home to numerous temples, though many were closed during the Mela. We were fortunate to visit the Alopi Devi Temple, renowned for its uniqueness—there is no deity statue here; instead, a wooden doli (carriage) is worshipped. The name "Alopi" originates from a Hindu legend where Sati's body parts, scattered by Vishnu's Chakra, fell across India to form sacred Shakti Peeths, with the last part believed to have disappeared at this location.
Another temple we visited was the Shankaracharya Mandapam, which felt like a Sanskrit school for students. While the architecture was impressive, it was sadly not well-maintained.
The New Yamuna Bridge is a modern marvel and a proud addition to Prayagraj’s skyline. Its stunning architecture is best appreciated during dawn and dusk, offering mesmerizing views. Also known as the Naini Bridge, this cable-stayed structure is one of India’s longest, spanning the Yamuna River and connecting Prayagraj to Naini in a North-South direction. Built in 2004, the bridge was designed to ease traffic congestion over the old Naini Bridge. Its construction was a collaborative effort by Hindustan Construction Company and Hyundai Engineering and Construction.
Since the weather was pleasant, we decided to step out at night and visit the ISKCON tent and the Avdeshanand tent. The latter was beautifully decorated to resemble the Ayodhya Temple, with intricate designs and thermocol art adding to its grandeur.
With this we finished our day and guess the number of steps on 14th January? close to 17 .4 miles.
The best part of the Mahakumbh for me was the food, connecting with spiritual gurus, and immersing myself in the chants of “Har Har Mahadev.” It was a truly transformative experience, offering a unique opportunity to connect with one's spiritual essence and contribute to the vision of a harmonious society. You can also follow the talk of Sadhguru and Anaadi Foundation.
The state government has done an excellent job throughout the city, creating numerous employment opportunities through this event. Fortunately, I was able to catch my train hassle free and arrived Lucknow on time for my flight, making it home as planned. I’m also grateful to my wife for supporting my decision and allowing me to experience this mela.
Nice well written... This will inspire other spritual seekers to experience maha kumbh mela
Awesome... Is there any part 3?