The most extravagant gathering that mankind has ever witnessed
Yes, you guessed right, the Mahakumbh. I was fortunate to experience this in person on 21st Feb 2025. I would never have attempted to visit the Kumbh Mela even in my wildest imagination. Our dear friends CJ and GC mentioned on our WhatsApp group about their plan to visit the Kumbh. This triggered our curiosity. TJ and I quickly checked the flight fares. It was more expensive than usual. But it was the Kumbh, so it ought to be. After contemplating about the overall budget and availability of accommodation, we decided to take the plunge. We booked our flight from BLR to Varanasi and a cab from Varanasi to Prayagraj. Our stay would be at IRCTC Mahakumbh Gram in Prayagraj (Friday) and Hotel Utsav Grand in Varanasi (Saturday), one night each. We would fly back on Sunday evening from Varanasi to BLR. Few days after we booked the tickets, it was the Mouni Amavasya Shahi Snan, followed by the stampede. You can imagine our plight!! Throughout the month leading up to our trip, we heard vari...