My Enlightening Journey to Kumbh Mela: A Personal Experience of Faith and Manifestation

How It All Started

For weeks, news channels were buzzing with updates about the Maha Kumbh Mela, but I paid little attention, being deeply engrossed in my startup's development. However, one Sunday, during my leisure hour, I stumbled upon a YouTube video discussing the significance of this year’s Kumbh Mela. Before clicking on the video, my intuitive mind whispered, "You should go to this mela." That inner calling set the wheels in motion for my spiritual journey.

If You Don’t Know What Kumbh Mela Is

Before diving into my spiritual journey, let me introduce you to the grandeur of Kumbh Mela. This is not just any gathering; it is the world's largest spiritual congregation. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world gather to take a holy dip in the sacred rivers at four locations in India—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The belief is that bathing in these rivers washes away sins and grants spiritual liberation. If you are unaware of its origins, the story of Kumbh Mela is nothing short of divine.

The Legend of Kumbh Mela

Long ago, the gods and demons united to churn the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) in search of the nectar of immortality (Amrita). As the churning continued, a divine pot (Kumbh) filled with this sacred nectar emerged. Lord Vishnu, in the enchanting guise of Mohini, took possession of the pot to ensure that the gods, and not the demons, received its life-giving essence. However, in the ensuing struggle, drops of the nectar spilled onto four locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. It is believed that these sites became charged with divine energy, transforming them into sacred pilgrimage spots. Since then, millions of devotees gather at these locations during the Kumbh Mela, believing that bathing in the holy rivers cleanses sins and grants spiritual liberation.

Kumbh Mela is celebrated in different cycles:

• Magh Mela – Every year
• Kumbh Mela – Once in 4 years
• Ardh Kumbh Mela – Once in 6 years
• Purna Kumbh Mela – Once in 12 years
• Maha Kumbh Mela – Once in 144 years

The Journey Begins

My husband played a crucial role in planning my trip. Instead of taking a direct flight from Pune to Prayagraj, I opted for a more economical route—flying to Delhi and then taking a bus to Prayagraj. The bus departed from Delhi at 9 PM, reaching Prayagraj at 10:45 AM the next day.

But the real adventure began even before I boarded the bus. My husband, who was coordinating with his employees in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, learned that one of them, along with his family, had been stuck in traffic for 36 hours while attempting to reach the mela. Fearing the worst, they turned back. My husband’s anxiety skyrocketed, and he bombarded me with messages, videos, and images showing the extreme crowd and congestion. He urged me to return to Pune immediately.

Like anyone, I was torn between my logical and intuitive minds. My logical mind saw the chaos and danger, while my intuitive mind assured me, "You will be fine. Just go ahead." Once I make a decision, I do not turn back. So, despite my husband's persistent messages, I continued my journey.?

Navigating Delhi's metro system to reach Kashmiri Gate, where my bus was scheduled to depart, I stopped at a nearby food court for a meal. My husband decided that if the bus was delayed in arriving at the bus stand, I should return to the airport and fly back to Pune. However, if the bus arrived on time, I could proceed to Prayagraj. I agreed to his decision, albeit half-heartedly.

The Two Powerful Rituals

Two powerful rituals helped me complete this journey successfully. One of these rituals is something I have been practicing for a long time, and it has consistently helped me manifest whatever I ask for—yes, it is a kind of manifestation ritual. The other ritual is something I was drawn to only a few years ago. Let me reveal the recent one first.

The First Powerful Ritual: Reciting Thiruvasagam

After having my food, I went to the bus station and waited at Platform 1. As I waited, I whispered a prayer to Mahadeva: "You called me here, and I surrender to you. If I am meant to complete this journey, let it happen." To calm my mind, I began reciting Thiruvasagam.

Thiruvasagam is a sacred Tamil scripture composed by the 9th-century Shaivite poet Manikkavasagar [you should pronounce it as maa-nikka- vaasagar]. For those unfamiliar, Thiruvasagam consists of 51 hymns and is the eighth volume of the Tirumurai, the sacred anthology of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta. According to legend, Lord Shiva himself transcribed Thiruvasagam when Manikkavasagar dictated it. Thiruvasagam is the only work that is signed as well as written by Shiva in the guise of a Tamil man when narrated by Manikkavasagar. The poet chased the writer, but he disappeared, but the palm leaf manuscript had been seen inside the locked sanctum sanctorum of Thillai Nataraja with the Lord's signature. The original manuscript of Thiruvasagam, written on palm leaves, is kept in the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Puducherry. It is only displayed during Mahashivaratri.?

This divine recitation granted me my first victory—the bus arrived on time as if guided by divine intervention. Throughout the journey, I continued chanting Thiruvasagam and listened to Thirumanthiram.

The Second Powerful Ritual: TM-Sidhi Meditation

Once I settled into my seat, I practiced TM-Sidhi meditation, a technique introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This ancient Vedic practice enables practitioners to manifest their desires by aligning their consciousness with natural laws. With every chant and meditation session, I felt a deep sense of assurance that I would complete my spiritual journey.

Surprisingly, despite the horror stories of traffic jams, our bus moved smoothly. Even as we approached Prayagraj, where congestion was expected, there were no significant delays. The bus was scheduled to arrive at 10:45 AM but arrived an hour early.

Miracles Along the Way

Upon arrival, my guide arranged for a Tata Nano car, a small vehicle that police allowed into restricted areas. When we neared the ghat, police began blocking roads due to overcrowding. About 15 two-wheelers pleaded to pass through, but only 4 or 5 were granted permission—including ours. This, I believe, was another divine intervention.

When I finally reached the ghat, a new question arose—who would look after my belongings while I took a dip in the holy river? My husband had raised the concern. But once again, faith led the way. I met a young girl and her brother from Bihar who had come to serve seva for three days. They graciously offered to guard my belongings and even assisted me in entering the river. And finally, here I was, in the holy river, taking a bath to dissolve my karma and pray for my family and well-wishers.

The Purpose of This Blog

The purpose of sharing my experience is not just to recount my journey but to emphasize the profound significance of Thiruvasagam and TM-Sidhi meditation. In today's fast-paced world, we are slowly drifting away from our rich language, culture, and sacred traditions. Thiruvasagam is not merely a collection of hymns—it is a divine force, a sacred vibration that has the power to transform the soul. Its recitation brings a deep connection to the divine, offering clarity, peace, and unwavering faith. Similarly, TM-Sidhi meditation is not just a practice but a profound tool for manifestation, enabling us to align our consciousness with the universal flow of energy. These two powerful spiritual practices have been my guiding light, helping me navigate challenges and manifest my deepest intentions with faith and surrender.

I hope my experience inspires others to rediscover these ancient practices and trust in the power of intuition.

Om Namah Shivaya.

Thiruchitrambalam