Mahakumbh 2025 : Unparalleled Excitement Among Pilgrims Witnessing a Rare Celestial Alignment After 144 Years

Maha Kumbh Nagar (UP) : On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri, the Triveni Sangam witnessed a mesmerizing confluence of India’s diverse traditions, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of cymbals and the chanting of sacred mantras. Devotees from all corners of the country took a holy dip at the sacred confluence, making the final day of the Maha Kumbh unforgettable. Due to the significance of the last auspicious bath, crowds of pilgrims began gathering along the riverbanks from midnight itself. Some patiently waited for the Brahma Muhurta (the most sacred time for rituals), while others took the plunge before the designated hour.

A Journey from West Bengal to the Holy Confluence
Among the thousands of devotees, a group of four friends from Siliguri, West Bengal, stood out as they walked towards the ghats, clad in identical bright yellow dhotis. Aakash Pal (an MNC employee), Abhijit Chakravarty (a content writer), Raja Sonwani (working in the pharmaceutical sector), and Abhishek Pal (a lawyer) come from different professional backgrounds, but their shared devotion to celebrating Maha Shivaratri at the Maha Kumbh united them on this journey.

“We are childhood friends and drove all the way from West Bengal to Prayagraj. When vehicle access was restricted, we continued on foot to reach the confluence,” said Aakash Pal, overwhelmed with excitement. The four friends carried saffron-colored containers to collect Ganga Jal (sacred water) as a memento of their spiritual experience. Many other devotees from Durgapur and Cooch Behar in Bengal also made their way to the sacred site.

Devotees from Nepal Participate with Great Enthusiasm
The grand festival not only drew pilgrims from across India, but also from Nepal, as devotees from the neighboring country arrived to be part of this rare event. Four teenagers—Manish Mandal, Rabbaj Mandal, Arjun Mandal, and Deepak Sahani—accompanied their uncle, Domi Sahani, to take a holy dip on Maha Shivaratri. Dressed in matching Shiva-themed tunics, three of them also wore scarves inscribed with the word “Mahakaal”.

Sahani shared, “We are from Janakpur, Nepal, the sacred city associated with Goddess Sita. Our hometown is also famous for the Jhanavi Temple. After our bath here, we plan to visit Ayodhya for Lord Ram’s darshan.” Their journey took them from Janakpur to Jainagar, followed by a train ride on Indian Railways to Prayagraj.

The 144-Year Phenomenon Added to the Excitement
For many pilgrims, the 144-year celestial alignment was the primary reason for their journey to the Maha Kumbh, making it an unmissable event. The desire to witness this once-in-a-lifetime moment motivated devotees from Karnataka, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, among other states, to travel vast distances for this spiritual experience.