Prayagraj: Attending the Kumbh Mela is already a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and this year, Prayagraj is hosting the Maha Kumbh Mela. Although the Poorna Kumbh occurs every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh is a special form of the Poorna Kumbh held once every 144 years.

The alignment of the Moon, Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter makes this Maha Kumbh the most auspicious Kumbh Mela and a truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Millions of devotees are traveling to the holy city of Prayagraj to bathe in the waters of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers at Triveni Sangam. Today, we bring you a travel guide based on the experience of one such devotee to help you plan your trip.

How to Reach Prayagraj

Prayagraj, one of the oldest cities in the country and also called Teerthraj in Hindu scriptures, is well-connected to the nation by air, rail, and road. Several domestic airlines have launched direct flights from multiple cities to Prayagraj to cater to the Maha Kumbh devotees, offering convenient and fast air travel options for people traveling from different corners of the country or the world. For those opting for a train journey, there are several stations, namely Prayagraj Junction (Main), Prayagraj Cheoki, Prayagraj Sangam, Subedarganj, and Naini Junction, which is the nearest to Kumbh city.

Given the demand and dynamic pricing, airfares to Prayagraj are skyrocketing, so people can also consider flying to nearby cities like Varanasi or Lucknow and then continuing their journey by train or road.

How to Reach the Sangam Area

After arriving in Prayagraj, travelers need to head to the Sangam Area, which is the heart of the Maha Kumbh. Here are some efficient ways to get there:

Among the two most efficient options, one can take a cab or auto to the Kidganj Boat Club from anywhere in the city. Upon reaching there, a boat will transport you directly to the location where you can take a holy dip (Divine Snaan). The boat ride costs between ₹200 and ₹2000 per person, depending on demand and your negotiation skills. After bathing, the boat will return you to Kidganj Boat Club, helping you avoid the crowded mela area.

The second option is a boat ride from Arail Ghat. To access this route, first travel to Naini Junction, then take a cab or auto to Arail Ghat. From Arail Ghat, boats operate during the daytime and charge ₹100 to ₹300 per person for a trip to the Sangam.

Additionally, if you want to avoid large crowds, consider reaching Arail Ghat or Someshwar Nath Temple Road around 1–2 AM. From there, you can find an auto to take you to the Sangam Gate (Bridge Number 3) via the temporary bridge. A 20–30 minute walk from this point will lead you to the Sangam Ghats.

At the Ghats

The Sangam Ghats capture the essence of spirituality amidst the chaos. Even though the water feels frigid at 4 AM, a dip in the Sangam carries an indescribable energy and spirituality. To experience this, millions of people take the holy bath every day. After the bath, it is suggested that one should offer an Argha and perform Aarti.

After the Holy Bath

For individuals who have dipped in the holy water, Shree Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir and Akshayvat are around a 25–30 minute walk, so make sure to visit afterward. With thousands queued up to take blessings of Lord Hanuman, one has to have some patience; it will take 20–30 minutes to do darshan of Hanuman Ji.

After that, you can continue your walk toward the Mela entrance, after which you will be able to get a cab or auto to your accommodation or even the railway station and airport.

More importantly, Kumar also went on to mention that even though they use autos for convenience, he still ended up walking 12.3 km. So do be prepared for long walking distances. Make sure to stay hydrated, carry your medicine, and rest when you have to.

Tips That Will Come in Handy for Your Trip

Never forget that preparation is always important. While the Maha Kumbh is fairly well-coordinated, the scale of the crowds can be discomforting at times. This is the one such event where ‘the crowd’ becomes your entourage, so try to pack light, keep some cash available, and always keep an eye on your belongings.

If you are looking for information for planning this trip, below are some helpful official links where you can book accommodation and packages.

Official Link for Booking Accommodation: http://upstdc.co.in/Web/kumbh2025
Book Packages Here: https://upstdc.co.in/TourPakages/AllTour
Packages and Riders Here: https://upstdc.co.in/Prayagraj-boating

🗃️ This story is from our archives and may contain outdated information.