Since the beginning of 2025, people across the globe have been drawn to the Maha Kumbh—one of the largest spiritual gatherings on earth. The highlight of this celebration is the celestial alignment, which is believed to happen just once every 144 years. Grasping its significance, I decided to experience it firsthand. Through this blog, I am sharing my experience that transformed a simple trip into a journey of self-enlightenment.
Although I was all set to embark on this transformative journey, my spontaneous decision meant no affordable tickets for flights, trains, or accommodations in Prayagraj. Luckily, overcoming this setback was easier when I found my four friends were in the same dilemma.
We had a quick chat and decided to travel to Prayagraj in our car, splitting the expenses and driving.
What started as uncertainty, quickly transformed into an exciting road trip, Transforming this once-in-a-lifetime experience into an unforgettable adventure with friends.
So, at the dawn of the 24th of January, we began our road trip from Chandigarh to Prayagraj. The sole reason behind the early departure was to avoid Delhi’s infamous traffic jam. But fate has something else planned for us. We soon found ourselves trapped in a relentless gridlock, losing precious hours before finally breaking free.
After enduring the gridlock, we were finally greeted by the vast expanse of the Yamuna Expressway. The frustration of the traffic jam melted away as the eight-lane highway unfolded before us, offering ever-changing scenic views with every passing second. Seizing the opportunity, we let the car glide effortlessly over the smooth road, embracing the freedom of the open road.
Just as we were about to enter the Lucknow-Agra Expressway, a glance at the fuel gauge made us pause—the tank was running low. With the open roads ahead, we decided to take a brief detour to a nearby petrol station. During the conversation, while waiting for the car to refuel, one of us casually suggested,
“How about visiting Kashi Vishwanath Temple before Prayagraj?”
What started as a fleeting idea quickly resonated with all of us. The plan made sense: by visiting Kashi first, we could then head toward Prayagraj on the return leg of the journey, shortening the distance at that time. Not only would this be more efficient, but it would also add a deeper spiritual layer to our trip.
Without much debate, the suggestion was met with enthusiasm, and we eagerly set off for Kashi.
We drove along the Lucknow-Agra Expressway towards Kashi, passing Prayagraj along the way but choosing to save it for later. For now, our focus was to reach the city of unending devotion—Varanasi.
Night fell like a masterpiece of perfect craftsmanship by the godly hands. The road ahead was illuminated by retroreflective pavement markers guiding our path. The decision felt less like our own and more like Lord Shiva calling us closer to Kashi.
We reached Kashi around 1:30 AM. The streets were bustling with devotees, but a peaceful divine energy could be felt around us. Only after reaching the doors of Kashi Vishwanath did we learn that they would open at 3:30 AM. With two hours to spare, we decided to take a peaceful detour to the Manikarnika Ghat.
As we walked through the narrow streets of Kashi toward Manikarnika Ghat, we felt the vibes that make this place so special. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva has blessed this sacred Ghat with eternal flames, and it is believed that those cremated here attain Moksha, breaking free from the endless cycle of life and death. Being here offers a profound perspective on life, inspiring a deeper appreciation of every moment.
Next, we visited the nearby Dashashwamedh Ghat, in Kashi itself. The Ganga here looked calm and beautiful, reflecting the sky like a mirror. We decided to take a dip in these waters before heading to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. As we stepped in, the cold water sent shivers through our bodies, but after a few moments, the chill faded, replaced by a deep sense of peace and spirituality.
After taking a holy dip in the river Ganga, we walked towards the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, seeking blessings from the Lord Shiva. The serene atmosphere here made the long wait in the queue feel effortless. Each moment brought a sense of inner peace, making it all worth it. As we stepped into the temple, we were captivated by the intricate designs. The energy around us was electrifying with the synchronized ringing of bells, and powerful chants of “Har Har Mahadev” filled the air.
In the center of the temple stood the Shivlinga. In the sacred sanctum of the temple, the Shivlinga glowed with divine energy. The temple’s dome and the Yoni (the circular base of the Shivlinga) are adorned with gold, a royal offering from Maharaj Ranjit Singh of Punjab in 1939. This grand gesture represents his deep reverence and devotion.
After offering our prayers at Kashi Vishwanath, we headed to the Annapurna Devi Mandir, which was next to the Kashi Vishwanath. The name "Annapurna" comes from two Sanskrit words: "Anna" (food or grains) and "Purna" (complete), meaning "the one who is full of food" or "the one who provides nourishment." She is considered the goddess of nourishment, abundance, and prosperity.
Must-Know Tip: Annapurna Mandir is often mistaken for Vishalakshi Temple, one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peeths. However, the Vishalakshi Temple is completely separate, just a 15-minute walk away.
The final stop was the Kaal Bhairav Temple, the guardian deity of the region. Tradition holds that to make a pilgrimage to any Shaktipeeth truly meaningful, one must offer prayers to the local Kaal Bhairav—and so, we did, marking our presence with reverence.
After completing our temple visits, we stopped at a small shop famous for its Heeng (Asafoetida) Kachoris. This quick break was just what we needed—each crispy, flavorful bite felt like a blessing, satisfying our hunger and recharging our spirits for the journey ahead.
We set off on the highway towards Prayagraj, our ultimate destination: the Maha Kumbh.
After a three-hour drive, we reached the outskirts of Paryagraj, where we had to park our car.
A brief chat with the locals revealed that the Mela Grounds were over 15 km away from where we were. As we came to experience the Maha Kumbh in its entirety, we chose to walk, leaving behind the convenience of auto-rickshaws.
The journey turned out to be more challenging than expected, with the scorching heat of Uttar Pradesh testing our endurance.
Pro Tip: Carry sunscreen and water bottles to stay hydrated.
As we made our way through the busy streets, the first glimpse of the Mela Grounds filled us with amazement. It was an overwhelming reminder of how vast and vibrant the world is and how small our journey felt in the grand scheme of it all.After walking 6-8 km through the bustling Mela Grounds, we finally reached the banks of the Triveni Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
To reach the exact point of confluence, we had to cross the waters in a small, brightly colored rowboat. After a quick discussion, we boarded a local boat and set sail towards the sacred center, where pilgrims gather to bathe in the holy waters.
The boat ride lasted 15-20 minutes before we disembarked on a small island in the heart of the confluence. This moment held its own significance—we were finally here, ready for the sacred dip in the Sangam.
As we stepped into the waters of the Triveni Sangam, we felt a deep sense of renewal. The ancient waters seemed to wash away all the tiredness, sorrows, and everything negative, leaving us peaceful and happy. At that moment, we weren’t just visiting a place—we were part of something bigger, a part of history.
As we stood there, breaking the boundaries of time, we watched the sunset on the horizon, casting a beautiful saffron glow across the clouds. We realized we had been in the water for almost an hour, and it was time to leave the confluence and head back to our boat.
We had brought a few empty bottles to bring back the Sangam water. We filled them and made our way back to the boat.
It was time to bid adieu, but the city’s special energy made it hard to leave. The glowing pathways and the sound of bhajans filled the air. Embracing the vibrant atmosphere, we stopped for souvenir shopping, savoring the excitement of being in this magical place just a little longer.
As we began our walk back around 6:30 pm, the weight of the water-filled bottles in our bags made the journey feel far harder. Each step became a reminder of how far we had walked earlier.
We reached the parking lot at 9:45 PM. While our minds and hearts were at peace, our bodies were utterly exhausted from the walking adventure we had just endured.
Prioritizing rest, we stopped at a roadside dhaba on the highway after leaving Pragyagraj. Some of us refueled ourselves with warm meals, while some chose to rest in the car. As the stars lit up the sky, we pushed ourselves and traveled almost 400 km before the next tea break.
We traveled through the night and reached Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba in Murthal in the morning. This eatery is ranked 23rd on the Taste Atlas’s 2023 list of the “Top 150 Most Legendary Restaurants in the World.”. The parathas served were generously stuffed and smeared with Safed Makhan (white butter), adding the perfect richness to the meal.
I was overcome with a strong sense of pride in my Indian heritage as we drove to Chandigarh. With people from all over the world joining together, the celebration of diversity was incredibly motivating. The most striking aspect was the exquisite display of kindness displayed by various communities. In order to provide Mahakumbh devotees with food, rest, and water, Muslims nationwide opened their mosques, shrines, and Imambadas to thousands of pilgrims irrespective of their religious beliefs. Locations such as Himmatganj Dargah Bada Tazia Imambada and Khuldabad Subzimandi Mosque extended a warm welcome to all. Over four hundred Hindu devotees were even housed in the Hafiz Rajjab mosque and Jama Masjid. India's heart was genuinely reflected in this spirit of harmony and generosity during this celebration of Maha Kumbh.