Sacred waters: A pilgrimage of faith and transformation

It was an early morning unlike any other, as I embarked on a small boat at 6:30 AM from Sangam Ghat. The mist over the water lifted slowly, unveiling the serene confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. As the boat gently glided through the still waters, the golden sunlight filtered through the fog, creating a tranquil glow. Birds skimmed the water’s surface with fearless grace, their wings leaving ripples that danced in harmony with the paddles. This peaceful 15-minute ride to the Triveni Sangam was not just a journey across a river but a voyage inward, to a space of profound serenity.

The atmosphere of the Maha Kumbh Mela is a sensory symphony. The crisp morning air carried a mix of scents—the earthiness of the river, the fragrance of incense, and the sweetness of camphor. Closing my eyes, I absorbed the rhythm of life around me: the chants of pilgrims mingling with birdsong and the soft splash of oars. This harmonious blend stirred something deep within me, a spiritual spark that seemed to bridge the finite with the infinite. Despite the sheer number of people, the energy was uplifting, and I felt simultaneously elevated and humbled, a part of something vast yet intimately personal.

As I approached the sacred Sangam, the act of taking a dip in the confluence felt like a sacred embrace. The water, surprisingly comfortable, held me as though it were divine hands offering solace and blessings. Each immersion felt like a shedding of worries, a symbolic release of burdens into the vastness of the universe. Performing the milk and water abhishek and offering prayers brought a deep sense of gratitude. Despite the enormity of the gathering, it felt as though the divine was personally acknowledging my presence, seeing me, and affirming my journey.

The decision to travel to Prayagraj for this experience was made on a whim, and yet, it felt predestined. And I’m deeply grateful to Lamya & Tasneem Rassiwala for making it happen for me at the very last moment.

The challenges people warned me about—crowds, chaos, and the unpredictability of such a massive event—never daunted me. It was as if an invisible force was calling me, guiding me to this moment. Being at the Kumbh Mela reminded me that growth often comes in the most unexpected ways. It taught me that the noise of the world cannot drown out a true calling and that a leap of faith is sometimes all it takes to find clarity and connection.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is more than a gathering; it is a confluence of renewal, connection, and devotion. The rivers themselves, more than physical entities, serve as conduits for purification, their sacred waters believed to wash away lifetimes of karma. This once-in-144-years event, the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, held an unparalleled energy. Surrounded by millions of pilgrims, ascetics, and seekers, I felt the ancient spiritual vibrations uniting everyone, transcending time and space. The shared faith and devotion created a powerful sense of belonging, a collective awakening.

What makes Kumbh Mela truly extraordinary is the dissolution of worldly distinctions. Here, caste, creed, and status hold no meaning. The sacred act of immersing in the river becomes a profound surrender—an act of letting go of the ego and embracing the infinite. It is a place where chaos transforms into harmony, where the mundane becomes sacred, and where the ordinary meets the divine.

As I reflect on this experience, I am filled with gratitude for the lessons it imparted. The Maha Kumbh Mela was a reminder that life’s impermanence is not a source of fear but a call to devotion, renewal, and hope. It ignited my soul, leaving me with a deeper connection to the divine, to humanity, and to myself. The sacred Sangam, where rivers and faith converge, remains a living testament to the power of spirituality to transform, unite, and elevate us all.

Premal Badiani is the Therapist & Master Life Coach at PB Life Coaching.