As Mahakumbh 2025 begins and is taking devotees on a spiritual journey of faith and devotion, several women partaking in the rituals and going the extra mile for the sacred event. While devotees such as Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of late Steve Jobs, are showcasing devotion by taking a dip in the Sangam and practicing spirituality, other women devotees such as skydiver Anamika Sharma and biker Raj Lakshmi are dedicated to creating awareness about the Mahakumbh 2025 around the world.
The Mahakumbh 2025, a sacred event in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has started from January 13 to February 26, 2025, with the 'Shahi Snan'. The event, known as the "world's largest congregation of humanity", is a sacred event draws millions of devotees, saints, scholars, and visitors and is a time-honored tradition rooted in Hindu mythology. It also celebrates India's cultural heritage, featuring discourses by saints and traditional art, music, and folklore.
Celebrated every 12 years, it is believed to be the holiest time for Hindus to take a ritual dip in sacred rivers. Key bathing dates include Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Purnima, and Mahashivratri.
This time, Mahakumbh is centered around the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. The event promotes unity, cultural heritage, and employment opportunities.
Women at Mahakumbh 2025
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is a significant event for devotees across the world and women are no different.
Naga Sadhvis, female ascetics who renounce worldly life for spiritual enlightenment, have been participating in religious rituals at Mahakumbh 2025.
But beyond the Naga Sadhvis, the holy event has been drawing attention of women pilgrims from around the world as they travel all over to Prayagraj to immerse themselves in spiritual practices and share the teachings of Sanatana Dharma. Women devotees, old and young, Indian or foreigner, are showcasing their spiritual strength and dedication towards their beliefs and partaking in Mahakumbh rituals with complete gusto.
One such woman is Anamika Sharma, a skydiver from Uttar Pradesh, who performed a daring skydive over Bangkok on January 8, 2025, unfurling the Maha Kumbh flag mid-air. The video, which has gone viral, shows Anamika holding the flag before boarding an aircraft and jumping out of it, soaring through the sky while unfurling the flag. This act has been praised as a symbol of devotion and adventure, drawing attention to the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest religious gatherings.
The Prayagraj Girl shared the video on her social media handle captioning "Inviting people all over the globe for world's largest human gathering - Maha Kumbh 2025." She skydived at 13,000 feet over Bangkok creating a breathtaking moment.
On the same lines we saw Bhadohi, UP’s Raj Lakshmi, who has embarked on a 2,000-km bullet motorcycle journey to raise awareness about the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. She will join 35 motorcyclists for a 12-day spiritual awareness campaign, "Aao Kumbh Nahao," from Bhadohi Sunderban to Prayagraj. The journey started on January 9 and will end on January 20, 2025, which aims to inspire and motivate people to participate in the holy dip.
Raj Lakshmi emphasized the Maha Parv, the Great Festival of Sanatan Hindu Dharma, celebrated every 12 years at Prayagraj Sangam, encouraging people to visit and take holy dips.
Dedication towards Mahakumbh 2025 has also drawn international devotees. One of the most notable names is Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of late Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs, who has arrived in Prayagraj to participate in the Mahakumbh Mela. She is a devoted follower of Swami Kailashnand Giri, the Acharya Mahamendleshwar of Niranjini Akhara, and plans to stay at the camp of Swami Kailashananda.
Lauren has participated in rituals and taken a sacred dip at the Sangam by embracing the spirituality of the Mahakumbh. According to reports, the billionaire is set to observe Kalpvas, an ancient spiritual discipline embodying the event's spirit. She will live in temporary shelters, dedicating time to prayers, meditation, and community worship, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.
Before visiting Prayagraj, Laurene offered prayers in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Kailashanand Giri Maharaj said, "She is coming to visit her guru here. We have named her Kamala, and she is like a daughter to us. This is her second visit to India. Everyone is welcome at the Kumbh."
What is Kumbh & its Significance?
The Kumbh Mela is a significant religious event in India, involving millions of devotees, ascetics, and tourists bathing in sacred rivers. Rooted in Hindu mythology, it is believed during a celestial conflict, particularly the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean) between gods and demons, they churned the ocean of milk to obtain amrita (nectar of immortality). Lord Vishnu, disguised as Mohini, distributed the nectar to the Devas in order to prevent the Asuras from consuming it.
During the chase for the nectar, drops fell at four places: Haridwar (River Ganga), Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam), Nashik (River Godavari), and Ujjain (River Shipra). These locations are sacred sites for the Kumbh Mela which is held according to the alignment of planets, and stars, specifically due to the position of the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter.
Kumbh Mela was first documented in the 8th century CE by Adi Shankaracharya and was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017.
