What a grandeur to view, learn and experience.

The Maha-Kumbh Mela 2025, held in Prayagraj, January 13, 2025 till February 26, 2025. Attracting over 66 crore (660 million) devotees, making it one of the largest religious congregations globally.

Knowing about this great spiritual event since my childhood (my mother was born and brought up in the city of Prayagraj and I have spent my childhood and journeyed it throughout my life), I never realized that it can take this shape ever in my life. Shaking the entire social sophistication, and becoming the focal point of every media platform ever known, we all now know about what my grandmother has always been recommending us for her entire life. She took her last breath on Maghi Purnima. Miss you Naniji (grandma) !

Key Bathing Dates, also referred to as Amrit-snan taught us how some hours or days supersede every logic and make 660mn people believe in a supreme happening. All power, celebrities, influencers, and Industrialists were brought to the same level, when they all took a holy dip in the same water:
For me the key dates (Amrit Snan) were always seen as the days of family gathering in a small tent on the bank of the river Ganga every year. Haha, I clearly remember the flashback of time where we cousins were given a challenge to locate Naniji's tent amongst hundreds of them similarly laid out in the large landscape. It used to take us 10 to 15 minutes merely to locate it accurately, and only after multiple wrong attempts of entering someone else's tent before we could find ours. I still laugh out loud remembering that not even once were we missed to be offered a snack or prasad (deity's offering), despite entering a wrong tent. This is the spirit of Maha-kumbh, truly for only one purpose, daan (donation), that's what my mom would tell us always. As soon as we would enter the small tent, adventure begins with searching each packet for food and toys that Naniji would collect for all of us throughout the year. The kind of joy that reflected on her face while each one of us kept finding our pieces, was precious.
I still feel confused about her reason for this yearly event, spiritual belief, or an urge to see all her grandchildren and kids together?

We never saw it as a social media hype where millions of people go crazy to take a selfie for the sake of a viral post.
Kumbh Mela is an annual event that has been happening for hundreds of years in Prayagraj, followed by Ardh-Kumbh (every 6 years) and Maha-Kumbh (every 12 years). Really, technology brings changes much faster than we can imagine!

Let's re-cap the journey of Maha-kumbh through these Key dates: (imagine 7 to 10 kids having a party with cousins and a pious old lady feeling blessed to serve her grandchildren at her supreme place of belief!!)

o Day 1 (January 13, 2025): Paush Purnima - Beginning of festival with Paush Purnima, marking the official start of the Maha Kumbh Mela. First holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
o Day 2 (January 14, 2025): Makar Sankranti -The first Amrit Snan (royal bath). It is believed that bathing on this day would absolve them of sins and lead to salvation.
o Day 17 (January 29, 2025): Mauni Amavasya - The second Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya, is considered highly auspicious. Unfortunately, a pre-dawn stampede led to the tragic loss of lives and injuries to many others.

o Day 22 (February 3, 2025): Basant Panchami - The third Amrit Snan held on Basant Panchami, signaling the arrival of spring. Devotees dressed in vibrant yellow attire participated in the holy dip.
o Day 31 (February 12, 2025): Maghi Purnima - An important bathing day, Maghi Purnima saw a significant influx of pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal.
o Day 45 (February 26, 2025): Maha Shivratri - The festival concluded on Maha Shivratri, with devotees offering prayers to Lord Shiva and taking the final holy dip.

The family this year once again collected at Maghi Purnima (Feb 12, 2025), the cause was different! Naniji took her last breath! I still remember her last words, "I'm absolutely fine darling", she answered, when asked how she was a day before. Mom told me a heart-warming reality that day, while sitting for her remembrance. Naiji started her journey of Maha-kumbh around 40 years back upon the demise of her husband at a very early age. The day of death was "Maghi Purnima" and the planetary position was exactly the same as was upon her last breath. Do you believe this? I still stand shocked listening to this unnatural reality!!!!!

Throughout the festival, numerous events and rituals were captured by various social media sources, showcasing the vibrant and spiritual atmosphere of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, which makes it nostalgic for me as much as creating excitement for others. At the end, I hope this does not drop away from people’s minds as any other social media hyped event and plays some role in making humanity understand its real significance.
I feel emotional today while writing this story. A story about myself, my existence & belief. With lots of love, remembrance and appreciation to an iron lady who led her life with dignity and belief!!!!!!!!!!