Time: Jan 31 - Feb 1, 2025
Place: Prayagraj
Company: Mother, wife and daughter
Highlights: When news of Maha Kumbh started floating late in 2024, I was not very keen. Especially because of the massive crowds beelining into Prayagraj. But when Sadhguru mentioned that you should not miss this event as it comes once in a lifetime, we started planning for it. There were a bunch of events - varying from daughter's school events to wife's ashram's events to my office events - from Jan 2nd week till Feb 3rd week, so choosing a date was extremely difficult. Hence could not book tickets. Finally, on Jan 28th or 29th, we decided that we can indeed travel on 31st. So, quickly booked the flight tickets - direct flight from BLR to Prayagraj. There were much of research that went into it - like going to Varanasi or Ayodhya or Patna or Kanpur or Lucknow. Out of 12-13 itineraries and comparing the pros and cons and prices, finally chose BLR to PYJ and PYJ to BLR although it was a whopping 50K price per passenger. After booking the flight, also booked a 'house stay' near the temple.
Day 1: Spicejet flight from BLR to Prayagraj. Upon landing, took taxi directly to a spot near Sangam. It was about 7 kms away from the spot where we had to get down and walk. A cyclist offered mom to take her to some distance on their vehicle (which allowed passenger movement). Otherwise, the road was filled with pilgrims walking towards the river confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi. After a long walk, we finally reached the spot at about dusk. We chose a spot right at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna. The river was surprisingly warm - I was expecting it to be cold since we still in winter. After spending about an hour in the river and cleansing our souls, and 'truly feeling' that we'd not get rebirth (moksha/liberation) because of this great event, we headed back on our way to the place where we'd get a vehicle to take us to our hotel. Again, it was a long walk. Again, a manual rickshaw puller (or a cyclist) helped us with about a kilometer of distance. Had dosas for dinner somewhere closeby. There were many tents everywhere around. Superbly managed event indeed. Finally took an auto to our 'house stay' which is basically a house who has offered a room for rent for one night. Thankfully, the host was very nice, he was a priest too. The wintry night chill was another thing we experienced, and thankfully we had shelter, else we were prepared to sleep on the roads!!
Day 2: The host offered us nice fried eateries in the morning itself along with tea! Post fresh-up, we took an auto to Veni Madhav temple, who dropped us off to the nearest place, then again had to take another rickshaw-puller to take us closer to temple, due to road no-entry restrictions. All along the way, we could see the city if Prayagraj decorated for the Maha Kumbh. We event went on the bridge that went over Ganga. Finally reached the temple. Darshan at the temple was very peaceful. Finally, it was time to head back to the airport. Took an auto and reached airport. Return journey to BLR and home was uneventful.
Epilogue: This trip was created out of thin air, with no major planning or even an inkling to visit Prayagraj. Just our Guru's words that no one should miss this event, got us into it. Too many events made me think if we can even get it done as a family or if each of us should go independently to accommodate it better. Finally, an opportunity created itself. A big hole created in our pockets, of course, but hopefully it is all worth it for our life or our many lifetimes!
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