Of Sangam And Calm: A Weekend At Kumbh

Telling stories is the profession of Megha Paul who is a travel journalist from Bangalore. She is either on a trip or planning one. And in between she becomes a storyteller and writes travel stories, too. She holds a Masters degree in History and Journalism and has spent over six years working on newspapers in India and abroad in various roles. From interviewing A. R. Rahman before he won Oscar, welcoming the Canadian Tourism Minister on his last visit to India to doing an exclusive with the present Tourism Minister of India, learning to shake some moves with world-famous Moulin Rouge troupe and securing exclusive interviews all along, Megha has a wealth of experience in all genres of journalism. Traversing to the holy land, Megha spent a relaxing weekend at Sangam Nivas by The Ultimate Travelling Camp (TUTC) and indulged in an unparalleled, multi-sensory journey into the very heart of the Kumbh Mela.

Read on to know about her Kumbh experience which she shared with Her Zindagi.

Imagine spending a heavenly holiday in the lap of nature and Sangam, embraced by its spirituality and expansive bounty and yet enveloped in all the comfort and conveniences that luxury has to offer. On my recent visit to the Sangam Nivas by The Ultimate Travelling Camp (TUTC), I discovered a blissful oasis that provided me with a soothing cocoon from the bustle of everyday urban living.

I drive out towards Prayagraj (or Allahabad as I still love to call it) to the Kumbh Mela. Here, nobody is officially invited. Yet millions congregate at the Kumbh, the largest religious gathering in the world. Dates are fixed; so are the routes. With a history of over 1500 years and countless stories, mysteries and fables around the Kumbh Mela, I decide to spend a weekend at the Sangam Nivas. Even though Wi-Fi is freely available, I discover that I do not desire to log in and time passes easily in a relaxed manner.

The Spiritual Welcome

Upon entering the reception area, I am served piping hot Chai, a delicious healthy version. As I sip the extremely refreshing brew, I realise that I am drawn to the sense of peace and calm — the silence is only broken by the chirping of birds, melodious Vedic chants and blowing of conch shells.

When I wake up, I happily cast my eye over the stretch outside my window. And, since I am up early, I take a stroll outside my tent. Far below, a magnificent triangle – that’s the Sangam. Positioned at the highest point of the Kumbh Mela, the resort is on a hillock overlooking the Sangam and offers the perfect vantage point to soak in the atmosphere and understand the essence of the Kumbh.

The Great Escape

Getting here truly means getting away. With a total of 44 tents here and over spacious 17 Luxury tents and 27 Super Luxury Deluxe tents equipped with modern amenities and ornate bespoke furnishings, the camp has weaved in exclusive activities specially curated to enhance the Kumbh Mela experience. I choose to witness the sea of fervent devotees performing their rituals and offering prayers and visited the various Akharas, which is an overwhelming experience. You can also partake in morning Yoga and meditation classes held here.

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I also go for an early morning boat cruise to watch devotees by the river banks offering prayers to their divine deities with hymns and mantras being chanted in unison. “You have come at the right time, the holy river must have called you. That’s why you are here,” the old boatman tells me, as soon as I get onto his boat. As the old boat takes me along the river, I see the hundreds of others that line the ghat and ferry people to Sangam, the mythical confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. With thousands of migratory seagulls flying above us, this is by far my favourite experience in the holy town.

As I end my inward journey and pack my bags to get home, I remember the words of the old boatman. I certainly feel a sense of calm and a change of energy as I walk back. Through ancient myths and modern-day tales, through allowing myself to believe in more than what meets the eye, “Good things are in store,” I say to myself.

To contact Megha, email her at meghapaul.travel@gmail.com or follow her on Instagram @megha.paul.

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