Maha Kumbh Mela: Why did UAE residents of other faiths visit ‘once-in-144-year’ Hindu festival in India?

Dubai: India’s Maha Kumbh Mela, said to be the world’s largest congregation of people, ended on Wednesday night, reportedly with the participation of a whopping 662 million over the 45 days of the mega Hindu festival.

As reported earlier by Gulf News, several Indian expats following the Hindu religion had taken part in the festival as the mega event this time was considered more auspicious since it is believed to be happening after 144 years though regular Kumbh Mela occurs once in 12 years.

Though the vast majority of the pilgrims and visitors at the festival have been Hindus, there have been people of diverse faiths, including some from the UAE, who took the “once-in-a-lifetime trip” to Prayagraj in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

One such person is Thankachan Mandapathil Joy, CEO of a chartered accountants’ firm in Ajman, who hails from the South Indian state of Kerala and follows Christianity.

“The idea of millions gathering in one place because of an ancient tradition always fascinated me. Though I do not follow Hinduism, I felt drawn to this grand event, as I felt it goes beyond faith and speaks to the soul,” he told Gulf News.

‘Civilisation came to life’

Despite the initial challenges he faced in arranging the travel, he said he was struck by the sight of millions of people gathered harmoniously to take a dip at the sacred Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati, which Hindus consider sacred, as a symbolic act of ultimate cleansing.

“It was not just an event. It was a civilisation that came to life,” said Thankachan.

Though he felt overwhelmed by the vast crowds, he said he never felt unsafe. Instead, he felt welcomed with warmth and curiosity. “One of the most memorable experiences was meeting the Naga Sadhus, the ash-covered saints,” he said, recalling their intense eyes and simple but meaningful words.

He said the overall experience made him realise that Hinduism is “a way of life rather than just a religion and is open, adaptable, and deeply philosophical.”

Leaving the Kumbh Mela, he said, was bittersweet, as the experience transformed his perceptions, broke stereotypes, and provided lasting memories of a spiritual journey that went beyond the physical one.

‘Life-changing experience’

Another UAE resident who got a chance to “explore the diversity of cultures and religions around the world in a life-changing experience” by visiting Maha Kumbh Mela is Arab expat Sally El Azab.

“It was a mesmerising event to attend and witness where millions gathered and united in one place,” said the civil engineer-turned-vlogger in Abu Dhabi.

“I was lucky enough to experience the event, thanks to a familiarisation visit across India of content creators from several countries organised by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs,” she said.

“I proudly represented the UAE and the Middle East and I was really amazed that so many millions of people are in this place in about a month’s time.”

She said she had never heard of it before being invited but embraced the opportunity. “Being an Arab Muslim, people may question why I went there. But to me, it was a huge experience ... it added to my values, added to my beliefs, not in religions but in unity.”

She was particularly fascinated by the sadhus and the new things she learned about them. “I really erased a lot of misconceptions regarding the Hindu religion.”

Sally said the atmosphere was peaceful and encouraged others to visit in the future Kumbh Melas. “You will see things you never saw in your life ... your eyes will be widely opened ... so you can live peacefully with each other.”

Though she did not take a dip in the confluence of rivers, Sally said she symbolically washed her hands and brought some holy water back with her. “I gave the water to many people here,” she added.

‘Dipped in divinity’

Meanwhile, another Indian expat Sheeba Kunnukada Alphonsa, who also follows Christianity, visited the festival and took the holy dip.

“On February 2, I took a dip at the Triveni in the Holy Ganges,” said the banker in Dubai.

“I got dipped in divinity, surrounded by devotion. It was my first-ever Kumbh Mela experience. It has been nothing short of surreal with millions of souls united with one sacred energy. I am grateful to have witnessed this confluence of faith, culture, and spirituality in my home country,” she added.