‘Unforgettable, divine': Foreign devotees awed by Mahashivaratri celebrations at Maha kumbh; watch

NEW DELHI: As the grand Mahakumbh is set to conclude today, foreign devotees have arrived in large numbers at Triveni Sangam to take a holy dip on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, mesmerized by India’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
Sharing their experiences, visitors from countries like Brazil and the UK and Mexico expressed deep faith and admiration for the Kumbh Mela’s atmosphere.
‘Unforgettable experience’: Brazilian devotee
Danielle, a Brazilian devotee who attended the 2023 Kumbh Mela, called the experience "amazing and unforgettable." He highlighted the warmth of the people and his eagerness to share his journey back home.

"We traveled from very far, and we are very eager to show all this to our people and our country. The whole Kumbh Mela is amazing. People are very friendly and welcoming. I got to know about Maha Kumbh from my boss, who covered it 12 years ago. It was my first experience, and it was amazing," he said.
Fellow Brazilian devotee Caco Barcelos echoed similar sentiments, saying, “This is the biggest human gathering in history. The emotions are very high… The smile of Indian people is wonderful.”
‘Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’: London devotee
A devotee from London, visibly moved by the celebrations, described the collective energy as "amazing."

"I feel so much joy and peace. The environment of the crowd is incredible. I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and canceled all my plans to come here. People have been so welcoming, and I am learning so much about the culture and the importance of everyday ceremonies," she said.
She also noted how pilgrims collected water from the Ganga to take home for family members who could not attend, calling it a "beautiful tradition."
Ana, a devotee from Mexico, shared her awe at witnessing the devotion and warmth of the people.
"I am Ana. I have come here with a group of our community. Many people are from Mexico, Colombia, and Italy. It’s a 'wow' feeling to witness so much devotion… We witnessed the kindness of people here. Everyone is so welcoming. That’s our biggest takeaway," she said.

Devotees visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Many foreign pilgrims also visited Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple, offering prayers and chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ on Maha Shivratri. Some were seen reciting the ‘Shiv Tandav Stotram’ as they made their way to the temple.
Maha Shivratri, celebrated on the 13th night or 14th day of the lunar-solar month, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and observed with great fervor across India. This year, an estimated 1 million devotees are expected to visit temples.