The Mahakumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world that occurs once every 144 years, serves as a reminder that while faith unites, the journey to experience it can be vastly different. Whether one spends ₹8,000 or ₹55,000, the final moment of taking a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Ganges remains the same — yet the path to get there tells two very different stories.

Held this year in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the event brings pilgrims from across the world together to take a holy dip in the sacred rivers, considered a deeply spiritual ritual in Hindu culture. However, the experience of reaching the mela varies drastically depending on one’s budget. Gujarat Samachar Digital presents you an account of two travellers from Ahmedabad who took different paths for the same journey to Prayagraj. Here they share their experiences.

The budget traveller: Sacrificing comfort for devotion (₹8,000 journey)

For those travelling on a modest budget, the Mahakumbh experience is one of endurance and faith. A smart middle-class devotee Hitendrakumar Modh, retired post office employee, managed the entire journey with just ₹8,000, a feat that required choosing the most economical options at every step.

Sharing with GS digital, Modh said, “The pilgrimage began with a long, gruelling bus ride, slow, and tiring. We didn’t opt for accommodation, the bus itself was our bed for the trip. Meals were simple, cooked by the bus driver himself.”

The real challenge they faced was when they were about to reach the destination. He said, “The last 26 km stretch to Prayagraj – What should’ve been a short distance took us 24 hours to cover, as there was heavy traffic. It was a test of our resilience — we were all physically tired, but hopeful as we were about to reach our destination.”

Privileged traveller: Paying for ease and comfort (₹55,000 journey)

On the other side of the spectrum was Nipun Soni, a jeweller,  who spent ₹55,000 on a Mahakumbh trip. A ₹40,000 round-trip flight from Ahmedabad to Prayagraj ensured they arrived within hours, bypassing the fatigue and delays faced by budget travellers.

He shared, “From the airport, the 10 km trip to the mela in a cab at ₹3,000 took just an hour — swift and smooth, we had already done pre-booking for all the amenities we would need at the mela. We just reached the mela in an hour from the airport.”

Rather than joining the crowds struggling for space on public boats, Soni, opted for a private boat ride costing ₹12,000, gliding across the water in peace. Their meals, while not lavish, were readily available, allowing them to focus on their spiritual journey without the strain of logistical challenges.

Same water, different journeys

At the heart of it all, the sacred river welcomed both travellers the same way. Whether one arrived after a long, exhausting ordeal or through a seamless, luxurious experience, the water remained unchanged. It did not differentiate based on how one arrived.

This contrast reflects a broader reality — how much one is willing (or able) to pay determines the ease of access, but not the final experience of faith. 

Notably, the government played a crucial role in ensuring affordability, offering low-cost transportation and food, yet private operators capitalised on the event, charging exorbitant fees for convenience.

As Mahakumbh 2025 concludes on February 26, coinciding with Shivratri, millions will carry home their experiences — some as a test of patience, others as a smooth pilgrimage. But in the end, whether spending thousands or tens of thousands, all pilgrims leave with the same sacred blessing, having touched the same divine waters.