Opinion | Mahakumbh 2025: A Grand Confluence Of Faith, Unity And Spiritual Legacy
Roaming through the Mahakumbh Mela, one can easily grasp the eternal message of Sanatana Dharma: our paths may be different, but our destination — moksha — is the same
An ocean of people walks together, taking dips at the sacred Sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Men and women, children and elders, Brahmanas and Sudras, villagers, forest dwellers, and city residents, North Indians and South Indians, Indians and foreigners, the rich and the poor, travellers, photographers, and believers—all come together, making Prayagraj truly a holy Sangam, a melting pot of humankind, and the largest gathering of its kind in the world.
At the entrance of the holy Mela, we may find ourselves stuck in a traffic jam, with the loud honking of vehicles, a heavy police presence, and a crowd of people nearly knocking into each other. Yet, as we move further, a vast temporary tent city spanning 4,000 hectares unfolds before us, with clearly marked roads and sectors, along with countless pandals (camps) of various sects of Sanatana Dharma.
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Whether it is Vaishnavas of different sampradayas (Vishnu devotees), Saktas (Shakti worshippers), Shaivas (Shiva devotees), ascetics, Naga Sanyasis (clotheless ascetics), or Aghoris (cremation-ground dwellers who consume human flesh), all sects are present from various akharas, such as Akhada Mahanirvani, Niranjani Akhada, Atal Akhada, Anand Akhada, and Juna (Bhairav) Akhada.
The spiritual diversity extends to Brahmakumaris, women sanyasis, Udasin Sikhs, Kinnars (transgenders), Buddhists, and even temporary temples representing prominent Bharatiya acharyas and religious organisations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and ISKCON—the list is endless!
Alongside these spiritual gatherings, there are discourses, devotional music, dance performances, and theatrical enactments of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Exhibitions, yoga, and meditation sessions are also held. However, what stands out most is the presence of bhandaras—free food services for pilgrims, running day and night! This practice, unique to Sanatana Dharma, ensures that massive kitchens operate 24/7, feeding millions of devotees from across the world.
The tent city never sleeps, as pilgrims continue to arrive in the middle of the night, exploring the sacred riverbanks and enjoying the breathtaking night view of the city without any fear.
Till February 7, 2025, more than 42 crore (420 million) people had taken the holy dip at the Kumbh Mela, surpassing the combined populations of the United States and Canada. According to government data, the Mahakumbh Nagari consists of 160,000 tents, 150,000 toilets serviced by 15,000 sanitation workers, and infrastructure including 1,250 km of pipelines, 67,000 LED lights, 2,000 solar lights, and 300,000 plants.
The highest number of devotees—over 8 crore (80 million)—took the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya. Despite the massive crowd, the event remained peaceful and smooth for all kinds of pilgrims. Managing such a gathering is a mammoth task, made possible through high-tech security measures, including drones and AI-enabled cameras. However, the driving force behind this unparalleled organisation is the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to preserving Bharatiya paramparas (Indian traditions).
Roaming through the Mahakumbh Mela, one can easily grasp the eternal message of Sanatana Dharma: “Our paths may be different, but our destination—moksha (liberation)—is the same."
In a world that often struggles with intolerance toward diverse faiths, Mahakumbh 2025 stands as the best example of peaceful co-existence. The uniqueness of Bharat lies in its long history of spiritual exploration. This land has always welcomed seekers, whether they be Aghoris experimenting with liberation in cremation grounds, smearing ashes on their bodies, using human skulls as utensils, or consuming human flesh, or Naga Sadhus renouncing all material possessions and societal norms. Here, people follow diverse spiritual paths, searching for their true selves and immersing in divinity. Bharat is a land where seekers question, experiment, and find their faith.
Throughout its history, spiritual seekers have inspired both kings and common people to uphold the righteous principles of dharma. Although Bharat has faced periods of foreign rule, its spirit has never been defeated—thanks to the wisdom and resilience of Bharatiya gurus. Mahakumbh 2025 reawakens this legacy.
While the primary aim of the pilgrims is to take the holy dip for moksha, the slogans displayed on the grand hoardings of Kumbh remind visitors of a greater cause: “Mahakumbh ka lakshya mahan, ek rahega Hindustan" (The goal of Mahakumbh is great—India will remain united!)
“Sanatana Garbha, Mahakumbh Parva" (The essence of Sanatana Dharma is the Mahakumbh festival!)
“Mahakumbh ka Sandesh, Ek ho pura desh" (The message of Mahakumbh—let the whole nation be one!)
These powerful words inspire people to uphold dharma and protect this ancient civilisation. In one sentence, the 2025 Mahakumbh is yet another assertion of Bharat’s eternal spiritual legacy.
Nandita Saikia is professor at International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai. Can be found at www.nanditasaikia.com. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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