The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is a profound celebration of faith, transformation, rebirth, and humanity’s eternal quest for oneness. As the largest gathering of humanity on Earth, witnessing its beginning this edition was more than a privilege—it was a deeply transformative experience that left an indelible mark on my soul.
The transformation of the host city was the first thing that struck me. Once known as Allahabad, it is now Prayagraj, a name rooted in India’s spiritual heritage. This sacred city lies on the sands of the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. This change in name is not merely symbolic; it signifies a renewed reverence for the timeless wisdom of India’s spiritual past, now alive in the present.
The origins of the Kumbh lie in the cosmic legend of the ocean’s churning by the Devas and Asuras in their quest for Amrit, the nectar of immortality. After immense effort, the Kumbh—the pot of Amrit—emerged. In the ensuing battle for its possession, four drops of the nectar fell on Earth, sanctifying Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. This Maha Kumbh, held in Prayagraj, is extraordinary, as it occurs once in 144 years. Its rarity feels as eternal as its message of hope, renewal, and transformation.
The Maha Kumbh represents humanity’s aspirations to create a better, brighter world. The sacred bath is more than a ritual; it is a powerful symbol of washing away old habits and sins, cleansing the soul, and embracing a new birth. This eternal cycle of renewal is rooted in the all-encompassing philosophy of Sanatana Dharma, a universal truth that transcends divisions of faith and creed.
Sri Aurobindo beautifully describes the essence of Sanatana Dharma: “That which we call the Hindu religion is really the eternal religion, because it is the universal religion which embraces all others. If a religion is not universal, it cannot be eternal. A narrow religion, a sectarian religion, an exclusive religion can live only for a limited time and a limited purpose. This is the one religion that… impresses on mankind the closeness of God to us and embraces in its compass all the possible means by which man can approach God.”
(CWSA Vol 08, Pa. 11).
The journey to the Kumbh itself mirrored its transformative essence. Traveling from Pondicherry to Banaras via Chennai and Hyderabad, I faced a moment that revealed life’s fragility. A technical snag caused the flight to Hyderabad to retake off after attempting to land, leaving us suspended between heaven and earth. In that moment, I felt the raw fear of mortality. When we finally landed safely, it felt like a rebirth, setting the tone for the sacred journey ahead.
Arriving in Banaras was like stepping into an ancient dream. The timeless Ganga flowed with devotion, surrounded by countless pilgrims seeking its embrace. The mist veiled everything, including the luminous Ganga Aarti, adding a sacred mystery to the atmosphere. As I stood there, wondering how to capture this moment, even my eyes struggled to pierce the mist.
Through this veil, I saw a flock of birds. One soared high above the rest, while the others remained grounded. In that moment, a profound metaphor for the Maha Kumbh revealed itself.
The words of Sri Aurobindo resonated in my mind:
“A fire has come and touched men’s hearts and gone;
A few have caught flame and risen to greater life.”
This is the essence of the Kumbh—a call to rise, to ignite the divine spark within, and to embrace transformation.
On January 13th and 14th, this transformative energy became a living reality. From dawn until late into the night, millions of devotees thronged the banks of the Ganga. They came with faith, hope, and prayers, yearning for purification and transcendence. Amid this extraordinary diversity of languages, cultures, and lifestyles, a profound unity emerged—a shared aspiration to take a sacred dip in the Ganga, symbolizing the cleansing of sins and the renewal of life’s purpose.
The deeper wisdom of this act unfolded before me. I had always wondered: Why is the Ganga so holy? The answer became clear. The Ganga is not just a river; it is the holiest of rivers because it has nurtured some of the greatest civilizations along its banks, profoundly impacting humanity. Yet, its sanctity transcends geography—it flows through the soul of Bharat, a land where no one is compelled to conform, and all are embraced with humility, understanding, and love.
This is the essence of Hinduism and the Kumbh—a universal harmony that fosters coexistence and individual growth. It is a message for the world: a reminder that renewal is not a one-time act but an ongoing journey. The simple act of taking a dip in the Ganga symbolizes this—a cleansing of the past, a release of burdens, and a hopeful new beginning.
The brilliance of this concept lies in its spiritual generosity. While society sets ethical practices, it also offers a path to unburden oneself and begin anew. This dip in the sacred waters is also a dip within—a constant renewal and rebirth, reminding us that we are always capable of rising to greater heights and deeper harmony.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is not merely an event; it is an eternal flame, illuminating humanity’s path toward transformation, unity, and the divine. It is a celebration of life itself, inspiring us all to cleanse, to renew, and to rise.
About the photographer
Lalit VERMA
Lalit Verma is a visionary whose contributions to art and culture are truly inspiring. As the founder of Aurodhan Art Galleries, he has provided a platform for countless artists from different fields. A graduate of the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education and an MBA, Lalit’s journey includes a notable tenure as a Tata executive and a stint at La Maison des Cultures du Monde, Paris. He has also served as President of the Alliance Française of Pondicherry.
An accomplished photographer, Lalit has showcased his work globally and is the only Indian photographer to have his works auctioned by the prestigious Hessink’s in Europe. His artworks have reached esteemed venues like UNESCO Paris and the Indian Parliament House New Delhi, and contributions appreciated by the Indian President, Prime Minister, and the Director-General of UNESCO.
Additionally, he has been the photographer for numerous coffee table books. Fluent in several languages, including French, his dedication to unity and cultural propagation shines through in his role as Curator and Director of numerous world-class festivals, in the fields of Art, Literature, Music and Dance, and the Oneness through Art movement.
His recent initiative, Oneness through Yoga, is a continuation of this mission. These events, offered freely, have fostered harmony and goodwill, helping to raise art consciousness and harmony in the public.
Lalit has received numerous honours in India and abroad, including a Lifetime Achievement Award and the Viswa Ratna. His efforts not only inspire but beautifully demonstrate the power of art to bridge divides and enrich society and above all help creat a collective movement towards human evolution.