KKN Gurugram Desk | Drawn by the spiritual energy of the Maha Kumbh, a group of 68 Hindu devotees from Sindh, Pakistan, arrived in Prayagraj on Thursday to take a holy dip at Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers.
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These devotees performed ancestral rituals and offered prayers for their forefathers’ peace at the Maha Kumbh. The Uttar Pradesh Information Department confirmed their participation in the ongoing religious gathering, which attracts millions of pilgrims from across the world.
Pakistani Hindus Visit Haridwar Before Maha Kumbh
Mahant Ramnath, who accompanied the group, stated that before reaching Prayagraj, the devotees visited Haridwar. There, they immersed the ashes of nearly 480 ancestors and performed Hindu rituals as per tradition.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, a once-in-12-year event, holds immense spiritual importance in Sanatan Dharma. For these visitors from Sindh, the pilgrimage was not just a religious journey but a deeply emotional experience.
Pilgrims from Sindh Share Their Experiences
Gobind Ram Makheja, a resident of Sindh, shared his excitement, saying:
“Ever since we heard about the Maha Kumbh in the past two or three months, we longed to come here. We simply couldn’t resist the opportunity.”
Makheja recalled that in April last year, 250 Pakistani Hindus visited Prayagraj to take a dip in the holy Ganga. This time, 68 devotees from six districts of Sindh made the journey.
The pilgrims belong to the following districts:
- Ghotki
- Sukkur
- Khairpur
- Shikarpur
- Karkot
- Jatabal
Of the 68 travelers, nearly 50 are visiting India for the first time.
Makheja described his experience as overwhelming and spiritually uplifting, saying:
“Words fail me. Being here is an emotional experience. Tomorrow, we will take another holy dip in the sacred waters. It fills us with pride for our Sanatan Dharma heritage.”
First-Time Visitors Experience Indian Hindu Culture
For many first-time visitors, the Maha Kumbh was an eye-opening experience.
Surbhi, an 11th-grade student from Ghotki, expressed her excitement:
“This is my first time in India and at the Maha Kumbh. Seeing and experiencing my religion up close is truly wonderful.”
Priyanka, a homemaker from Sindh, echoed similar feelings:
“We were born and raised among Muslims in Sindh. Contrary to what media sometimes shows, there isn’t much discrimination against Hindus there. But witnessing our heritage in India is an unmatched experience. I feel a deep spiritual connection here.”
Pakistani Hindu Views on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
The topic of India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) also surfaced during discussions with the pilgrims.
Niranjan Chawla from Sukkur shared his opinion:
“In Sindh, Hindus don’t face extreme persecution that would make them apply for Indian citizenship. However, in certain areas of Pakistan, like Rajasthan on the Pakistani side, Hindus do face difficulties.”
Chawla, who works in the construction industry, urged the Indian government to simplify the visa process for Pakistani Hindus.
“Currently, it takes nearly six months to obtain a visa. However, this time, our group received visas more easily, and we are grateful to the Indian government for that.”
Pilgrims to Visit Raipur and Haridwar After Maha Kumbh
The group arrived at the Maha Kumbh camp last night and plans to stay until February 8 before traveling to Raipur and Haridwar.
Some devotees have brought six urns filled with ancestral ashes, which they plan to immerse in the holy Ganges in Haridwar.
Looking ahead, Chawla shared their plans for the evening:
“Tonight, we will visit saints from the Akharas and explore the grand fair at the Maha Kumbh.”
Importance of Maha Kumbh for Pakistani Hindus
For many Hindus living in Pakistan, visiting India for religious pilgrimages remains a rare but cherished opportunity. The Maha Kumbh Mela, with its millennia-old traditions, serves as a symbol of spiritual unity and cultural heritage.
Despite facing visa and travel restrictions, many Pakistani Hindus strive to connect with their roots by visiting India’s sacred sites.
The experience of bathing at Sangam, performing rituals, and witnessing India’s Hindu heritage firsthand makes their journey profoundly significant.
The arrival of 68 Hindu devotees from Pakistan at the Maha Kumbh 2025 underscores the universal appeal of Sanatan Dharma.
For these pilgrims, the journey was not just about performing religious rituals but also about experiencing the rich Hindu heritage that they rarely see in their homeland.
With increasing cultural exchanges and eased visa processes, more Pakistani Hindus may find opportunities to visit India’s holy places in the future.
As they immerse themselves in the sacred waters, their prayers symbolize the eternal bond between faith, tradition, and the divine.
