The Kumbh Conundrum: Can One Be Spiritual Without Joining the Masses?

I had a debilitating panic attack last night, triggered by the looming deadline of February 26th – the final day of the Maha Kumbh. As the clock ticked away, I couldn’t shake off the overwhelming sense of FOMO that gripped me. I don't have a thrilling tale to share, no world-record participation to boast about, no photos with yogis to post, and no transformative moments to recount. I didn't take the holy dip, nor did I capture a saffron-hued selfie to commemorate the occasion. The thought of missing this spiritual extravaganza, which only occurs every 12 years, sent my anxiety spiralling out of control. The rare celestial alignment of planets, occurring only after 12 cycles of the regular Kumbh Mela, made me feel even worse. I felt like I was missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with the divine and be part of the collective spiritual experience.

According to reports, a staggering 200 million people attended the Mahakumbh, making it the largest human gathering on the planet. The Maha Kumbh festival was truly a spectacular event that drew in a diverse crowd from all walks of life. From influential business leaders like Laurene Powell Jobs to international celebrities like Chris Martin, and even local personalities, everyone attended the event. 

The Kumbh Conundrum: Missed opportunity or a conscious choice? 

At this moment, the pangs of guilt for missing the Kumbh are overwhelming. I'm tempted to plead with the Sanatan Dharma authorities to extend the festival by two days – a special dispensation for all the laid-back Hindus who, like me, didn't see the urgency in attending.

We're the quintessential last-minute crammers, always studying the night before the exam. But this time, the exam has already concluded, and we're left to face the consequences of our procrastination.

It hits you harder when you see people evolving into a stage of spiritual one-upmanship. They're now competing to appear more enlightened, more devout, and more spiritually awakened by bathing in sacred waters to wash away sins. Here we are a brazen minority who didn’t even try to go. In the lighter vein, we didn’t do anything wrong to wash away our sins. Haha! 

People like me are neither in the realm of material happiness nor in the sphere of spiritual superiority. We're content to observe from the sidelines, unfazed by the urge to project a curated image of our spiritual lives.

I must confess, I don't have any convenient excuses for missing the Mahakumbh. No cancelled flights, no unavailable tickets, no unforeseen circumstances. The truth is, I simply didn't make an effort to attend. Social media proved to be a convenient catalyst for my decision to skip the Kumbh. The constant stream of updates highlighting the challenges of attending the festival – 10-kilometer walks, crippling traffic jams, scarce public toilets, and questionable water quality – effectively dissuaded me from making the journey. The comforts of home and the ease of armchair spirituality won out, as I opted to experience the Kumbh vicariously through my screens.

My reasoning, though perhaps unconvincing, was rooted in my personal beliefs. I've always believed that my connection with the divine resides within me, and that I don't need a physical space or event to experience spirituality.

Now, as the Mahakumbh comes to a close, I'm left to ponder my decision. Was it a missed opportunity, or a testament to my personal faith? The answer, much like my god, remains in my heart.

This internal conflict has led me to ponder the nature of spiritual connection and community. Can one truly experience spiritual growth and connection without participating in large-scale events like the Mahakumbh? Or is it possible to tap into the collective consciousness and energy of such gatherings from afar?

Spirituality as I see it is a deeply personal and intimate journey. It's a path that winds through the depths of one's own heart, mind, and soul. While external events and gatherings like the Mahakumbh can certainly provide opportunities for spiritual growth and connection, they are by no means the only or definitive measures of one's spirituality. 
Views expressed by the author are their own.