Once upon a time, an ice-cold dip in the Ganga at dawn was the ultimate ritual for cleansing sins and seeking spiritual liberation. Today’s Kumbh traveller, however, can trade austerity for indulgence—steaming hot baths, multicuisine sattvic delights and a shopping arcade of cultural treasures.
India’s largest spiritual and religious congregation has transformed into a luxurious destination, attracting the rich and famous from around the world in their quest for transformation and salvation.
This year’s Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is extra special, taking place after 12 cycles of the regular Maha Kumbh, making it a once-in-144-year event. Held over 45 days, from January 14 to February 26, 2025, the VIP line-up includes business honchos, social media sensations, Bollywood actors, fashion designers and artists, among others. Laurene Powell, widow of Steve Jobs, has already made a brief visit, while Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are among the other celebrities expected to attend.
With an illustrious guest list like this, impeccable hospitality is sure to follow—but some of the indulgences verge on the extravagant. Picture this: a newly minted riverfront inspired by Mumbai’s Marine Drive, stretching 15.25 kilometres along the Ganga. Add to that flower-petal showers during sacred dips, hot-air balloon rides, and paramotor flying experiences.
With ultra-luxury tents neatly organised cheek-by-jowl, offering expansive views of this mega fair, the glamping experience at the Kumbh is set to reach new heights. Heated tents, plush interiors and specially curated vegetarian menus by leading chefs are among the star attractions, offering ample luxury for the modern-day seeker.
Sanjay Sharma of Evolife Private Spaces had put the final touches on his dome city just days before the mela began. With transparent dome structures elevated at 15 feet, the city offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the spiritual carnival. “This Kumbh is said to be even more special, taking place after 144 years! We are very excited to offer all the modern amenities any global traveller would look for. We have a multi-cuisine restaurant and an array of wellness programmes, therapies and massages as part of our special offerings. We’re going all out to make this a truly luxurious experience for our clients,” he says.
While hosts like Sanjay are working to cater to the luxury traveller, there is palpable excitement among those eagerly waiting to experience this! Astha Singh, Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Global Chair, who is leading a specially curated tour for global CEOs to the Mela, says, “The Kumbh Mela is an enduring icon of our spiritual heritage. I like to push beyond the ordinary and curate experiences that take us out of our comfort zones. YPOers will experience the essence of divinity in the largest gathering of humanity. Members will offer prayers for global peace under the guidance of leading spiritual gurus, participate in havans (fire rituals) and take dips in the river on auspicious dates. This is a beautiful reminder of complete surrender to the universe and a chance to experience life outside our guardrails, where we shed our corporate power dressing and embrace sacred simplicity.”
Dhruv Singh, who has been leading camps and curated experiences at the Kumbh for almost two decades under the banner Safari by Dhruv, is averse to the word “luxury”. “Luxury for us could even mean lying on a cot under the stars,” he explains. His understated approach to luxury and preference for anonymity have paradoxically made him one of the most sought-after hosts at the Kumbh. Among his high-profile clients this year are international celebrity photographers, Hollywood filmmakers and a prominent name from the global fashion world.
Dhrupad music by maestro Uday Bhawalkar, special audiences with sadhus who typically shun people, as well as boat rides and guided walks around the mela, are some of Safari by Dhruv’s offerings. “We usually camp out here at least a month before the actual mela, and because of our longstanding associations with many of these akhadas and sadhus, we have direct access to them. Our clients get to see them up close and interact with them,” he explains. The Akhadas, fraternities of sadhus where members engage in physical training alongside the study of scriptures, are a key part of the Maha Kumbh, with 14 of them in attendance.
When it comes to truly rolling out the red carpet for his personal guests, industrialist B K Modi, a Singaporean billionaire business leader and founder-chairman of the Smart Group of Companies, takes the cake. Dr M, as he is popularly known, is a deeply religious man with close ties to the Sankaracharyas. Having recently moved back to India, he is all set to host a distinguished group of overseas guests and former royal family members from India at the fair.
His luxury tents and a 40-room palace, spread over three acres, stand as a structure steeped in majesty, befitting the lifestyle of kings. Modi’s vision is to reintroduce and reacquaint royal families with their ancient responsibility as custodians of religion by facilitating a close interface with the Shankaracharyas in the setting of his temporary palace—an interesting meeting point of the spiritual and the worldly, complete with a private ghat, private boats and a dedicated team of staff to ensure the highest levels of comfort for his guests.
The temporary mansion, designed by Australian architects, will come with all modern facilities. “Over the entire period, I am looking forward to hosting over 600 people at the Kumbh. For me, it’s a great opportunity to bring the focus back on Adi Shankaracharya and his Advait philosophy, which united people under the umbrella of Sanatana Dharma. My attempt is to pick up from where he left off,” says Modi, who has been camping at the site for over a month.
As a vast multitude of humanity awaits diverse experiences at the Maha Kumbh 2025, this will truly be a first—where guests will have the opportunity to experience both adventure and affluence, all at once!