The 2025 Mahakumbh Mela—the world’s biggest religious congregation—is underway at the holy Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, as millions of pilgrims have reached there from around the globe. This year is significant because this is the celestial event that will be repeated only after 144 years. The auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima, which marked the beginning of the Mela, has seen an extraordinary influx of pilgrims from all over the world, including India, for the spiritual benefits of holy dips in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
Mahakumbh is not just an event; it is a manifestation of India’s timeless spiritual traditions, rooted in the Sanatan Dharma, or the eternal truth, which has been a guide for humanity for thousands of years. The growing number of international devotees participating in this grand occasion, indicates a powerful global resonance with the values and teachings of Sanatan Dharma. For centuries, Bharat has been considered the spiritual heart of the world. The Mahakumbh Mela reinstates it in that role, as people from almost all walks of life and nationalities are attracted to its eternal wisdom and practices.
Global Devotees Feel the Vibrant Embers of Bharat’s Spirituality
Many foreign devotees from Russia, Spain, South Africa, Brazil, and Germany have experienced deep moments as they got into the holy water of Triveni Sangam. The ardent devotees charged by their spiritual energies complete their oblations despite the biting cold.
Even the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’s wife, Laurene Powell Jobs, is in India to visit the Mahakumbh taking place in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj from January 13 and has been given a Hindu name, Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara said on Friday.
#WATCH | Varanasi, UP | Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara, along with Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/TMv1W3t4iw
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2025
Francisco, a Brazilian devotee who had never been to India before, was deeply moved by the experience. “I came to India in search of Moksha. It’s amazing here. India is the spiritual heart of the world,” he shared. “The water is cold, but my heart is filled with warmth. The energy of this place is something I’ve never felt before. This is where I want to connect with my inner self.”
Another devotee from Russia expressed his admiration for India, remarking, “‘Mera Bharat Mahaan’—India’ is a great country. We are here for the first time, and we are witnessing the true power of this nation, which lies in its people. The energy here is so powerful that it makes me feel overwhelmed with reverence.” Such was the testimony of several others who were swept away by the simplicity, devotion, and oneness of the people of India.
#WATCH | Prayagraj | A Russian devotee at #MahaKumbh2025, says, “…’Mera Bharat Mahaan’… India is a great country. We are here at Kumbh Mela for the first time. Here we can see the real India – the true power lies in the people of India. I am shaking because of the vibe of the… pic.twitter.com/vyXj4m4BRs
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
A group of Spanish devotees, traveling from various parts of Europe, expressed how fortunate they felt to have come to the Kumbh. “We are on a spiritual journey, and the holy dip in the Sangam has been a blessing,” one of them said. “This is not just a dip in the river but a dip in the eternal knowledge of the universe. We feel connected to something much larger than ourselves.”
#WATCH | Prayagraj | A Spanish devotee at #MahaKumbh2025, Jose says, “We are many friends here – from Spain, Brazil, Portugal… We are on a spiritual trip. I took holy dip and I enjoyed it much, I am very lucky.” pic.twitter.com/YUD1dfBgM4
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025
Even devotees like Jitesh Prabhakar, originally from Mysore but now a resident of Germany, emphasized the importance of grounding oneself in spiritual practices. “It doesn’t matter where I live, be it in India or abroad.”. What matters is staying connected with the deeper spiritual truth. I practice yoga every day, and I believe this helps me travel inward, towards my true self,” said Jitesh, who was visiting the Mela with his wife and child.
#WATCH | Prayagraj | Jitesh Prabhakar, originally from Mysore and now a German citizen along with his wife Saskia Knauf and a baby boy, Aditya arrive at #MahaKumbh2025
Jitesh says, “…It doesn’t matter if I live here (in India) or abroad – the connection should be there. I… pic.twitter.com/vPhpoJNvh1
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
A devotee from Cape Town, South Africa, expressed his gratitude for the beauty of India and the warmth of its people. “The streets are clean, and the people are so friendly and happy,” he said. “We practice Sanatan Dharma, and here, we feel a deep connection with the eternal truths that this land offers.”
#WATCH | Prayagraj | A devotee from South Africa’s Cape Town at #MahaKumbh2025, says, “It’s so beautiful. The streets are clean, the people are so friendly and happy… We practice Sanatan Dharm…” pic.twitter.com/Q5PUnSriuy
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
Bharat on the Path to Becoming a Vishwa Guru
This conglomerate of a massive and inclusive body of international devotees at the Mahakumbh Mela is not only a celebration of faith but rather proof of how Bharat’s spiritual influence is recognized on the global level. India, traditionally known as Bharat, is once again on the way to being a Vishwa guru—a spiritual beacon guiding humanity toward eternal wisdom, peace, and harmony.
Sanatan Dharma, which is at the heart of the Kumbh Mela, is an eternal truth—never-ending, timeless, and universal. Its teachings of self-realization, unity, and respect for all forms of life resonate with people from all walks of life, across borders and cultures. The Mahakumbh Mela, with its message of spiritual awakening and collective consciousness, is a vivid illustration of the world’s increasing embrace of this ancient wisdom.
As Mahakumbh 2025 begins, it is clear that the lamp of spirituality in the world will shine brightest from Bharat. Thousands of international devotees’ participation provides glorious evidence to the timeless importance of Sanatan Dharma and India’s position as the global spiritual leader. The warmth felt by these devotees, despite the cold waters of the Sangam, is symbolic of the eternal warmth of the divine wisdom that flows from this land. With every dip taken, every prayer offered, and every soul awakened, India’s message of peace, spirituality, and universal love echoes across the world, reaffirming its position as a Vishwa Guru. The Mahakumbh Mela is not just a religious event—it is a global spiritual movement, as people of all nations come together to experience the eternal truths of Sanatan Dharma.
