A group of 68 Hindu devotees from Pakistan’s Sindh province arrived in Prayagraj on Thursday, drawn by the spiritual allure of the Maha Kumbh. Their pilgrimage, a deeply personal one, culminated in a holy dip at the Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati—where they offered prayers for the peace of their ancestors’ souls. This journey, filled with religious significance, exemplifies not only devotion but also the enduring connection to shared cultural heritage that transcends borders.
According to the Uttar Pradesh Information Department, the group performed sacred rituals at the holy confluence, a tradition that dates back centuries. Before arriving in Prayagraj, the devotees had visited Haridwar, where they immersed the ashes of nearly 480 ancestors, paying homage through rites that reinforce the ties between past and present generations. Mahant Ramnath, who accompanied the group, highlighted the significance of this pilgrimage as an act of both devotion and remembrance.
Gobind Ram Makheja, a Sindh resident and member of the group, shared his heartfelt longing to attend the Maha Kumbh, revealing that the news of the event had stirred a deep spiritual yearning. “Ever since we heard about the Maha Kumbh in the last two or three months, we had a deep longing to visit. We simply couldn’t stop ourselves from coming,” Makheja explained. His words resonate with the universal pull of the Kumbh Mela—a festival that attracts millions, not only from India but from all over the world, eager to partake in its divine significance.
This year, 68 devotees from six districts of Sindh—Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Karkot, and Jatabal—made the pilgrimage to the Kumbh. Nearly 50 of them were first-time visitors, marking a special moment in their spiritual journey. For many, like Surbhi, an 11th-grade student from Ghotki, this trip to India and to the Maha Kumbh was an eye-opening experience, allowing her to explore and deepen her understanding of her faith. “For the first time, I am getting to deeply understand and witness my religion. It feels wonderful,” she said, her words a testament to the powerful connection that transcends geographical and political divides.
Priyanka, a homemaker from Sindh, echoed similar sentiments. She expressed awe at the experience of witnessing the culture and heritage of her faith in its birthplace. “Seeing our culture here is a divine experience. We were born and raised among Muslims in Sindh. Contrary to media portrayals, there isn’t much discrimination against Hindus there. But witnessing our heritage in India is an unparalleled experience,” she remarked. This highlights the nuanced reality of being a minority in Pakistan—one that is often misrepresented, yet still deeply connected to its cultural roots.
The group’s pilgrimage, however, is not just about spiritual fulfillment but also a reflection of the complex relationship between India and Pakistan. When asked about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Niranjan Chawla, a construction worker from Sukkur, expressed that while the situation for Hindus in Sindh is not as dire as it might seem, there are still areas, like Rajasthan in Pakistan, where Hindus face challenges. Chawla noted the difficulty in obtaining Indian citizenship for Pakistani Hindus, but acknowledged that the Indian government had made visa processes easier for this group, granting them timely approval to attend the Kumbh. “We are grateful to the Indian government for that,” he said, highlighting the potential for diplomacy through cultural exchange and the importance of simplifying visa processes for those seeking to maintain their spiritual ties to India.
As the group continued its journey, they visited saints at the Akharas and planned to explore the grand spectacle of the Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering. This vibrant event, which attracts millions of devotees, serves as a reminder of the deep, unbroken ties between the people of India and their spiritual neighbors, even when political tensions separate them.
This pilgrimage of Pakistani Hindus to the Maha Kumbh is a poignant reminder that faith, heritage, and devotion can transcend the divisions imposed by borders and politics. In the context of the ongoing complexities of Indo-Pakistani relations, such moments of shared spirituality offer a rare opportunity for cultural dialogue and understanding. The devotees’ experiences at the Kumbh not only reinforce their connection to their religious roots but also highlight the potential for greater cultural exchanges between the two nations. While politics may shape the realities of daily life, it is the spiritual connections that continue to bridge gaps and offer hope for a more connected future.
