As the grand Mahakumbh concludes, foreign devotees from around the world gathered at the Triveni Sangam on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, captivated by the vibrant cultural and spiritual atmosphere.
Among them was Danielle from Brazil, who had previously attended the Kumbh Mela in 2023. Describing his experience as “amazing and unforgettable,” he expressed eagerness to share the spiritual energy and cultural richness of the event with his fellow countrymen. “The whole Kumbh Mela is amazing. People are very friendly and welcoming. I got to know about Maha Kumbh from my boss who covered the Kumbh Mela 12 years ago. This was my first experience, and it was incredible,” Danielle said.
Caco Barcelos, another devotee from Brazil, also marveled at the scale and spirit of the gathering. “We traveled a long way to be here with people. This is the biggest human gathering in history. The emotions are very high, and the smiles of the Indian people are wonderful,” he shared.
A devotee from London was visibly moved by the peaceful and joyous environment. “I feel so much joy and peace. The collective energy of the crowd is amazing. Everyone is celebrating today. It feels more special than any other day I have been here so far. I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and canceled all my plans to be here. People have been so welcoming and friendly. I am learning so much about the culture and the importance of everyday ceremonies. Watching people collect water from the Ganga to take home for their family members who couldn’t make it here is beautiful,” she said.
In addition to their participation in the Mahakumbh, many foreign devotees visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi to offer prayers on Maha Shivaratri. Enthralled by the temple’s spiritual ambiance, they recited the ‘Shiv Tandav Stotram’ and chanted ‘Har Har Mahadev’ as they made their way to the temple.
Mahashivratri, celebrated as the night of Lord Shiva, is observed with great reverence across India and other Hindu-majority countries. This year, the night dedicated to the protector deity fell on Wednesday, drawing an estimated 1 million pilgrims to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
The Mahakumbh concluded following a series of ceremonial dips, starting with the first Amrit Snan on Paush Purnima on January 13. Subsequent snans took place on Makar Sankranti on January 14, Mauni Amavasya on January 29, Basant Panchami on February 3, and Maghi Purnima on February 12. The final and most significant snan occurred on February 26, aligning with the celebration of Maha Shivaratri.
