The world was still wrapped in night’s embrace as I arrived at the sacred Sangam in Prayagraj—the confluence of three mighty rivers: the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati. It was the 8th of November 2024, a day vibrant with the sacred rhythms of Chhath Puja. My feet touched the cool waters, and in that moment, the weight of the 120-kilometer pilgrimage ahead felt both daunting and divine.
The riverbanks were a tableau of devotion. Women from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar stood in reverent silence, their two-day fast culminating in a worship of profound beauty and meaning. Chhath Puja’s rituals honored the rivers and the life-giving Sun. The air pulsed with an intensity born of centuries of faith, each prayer carrying echoes of ancient traditions.
As the first rays of dawn painted the sky, I boarded a small ferry that gently rocked upon the waters, as though the rivers themselves welcomed me into their timeless flow. The ferry boy, with his calm demeanor and knowing gaze, felt more like a keeper of ancient wisdom than a mere navigator. His presence reminded me that every journey needs a guide—sometimes seen, sometimes unseen.
At the Sangam, I immersed myself 108 times. Each dip was a surrender—a silent prayer for cleansing, not just of my sins but of the very notions of sin and virtue. The waters carried an energy that transcended words, as though centuries of devotion had woven a tapestry of spiritual power within their depths.
Carefully, I collected a jar of the holy water. This wasn’t just water; it was a vessel of intention, a liquid mantra. It carried the essence of my journey, destined for Lord Kashi Vishwanath, the divine center of my pilgrimage.
Before setting out on the road, I sought blessings from Lord Hanuman. His towering presence and eternal symbolism of strength and devotion filled me with resolve. With his benediction, I began the long walk, my heart steady and my soul brimming with determination.
The Journey Unfolds
The sun rose high over National Highway 19, transforming the mundane road into a sacred path. Beside me, the jar of Sangam water sat like a silent companion, its cool weight a constant reminder of the spiritual mission ahead. Midway, fate introduced me to a humble roadside eatery where an old man, his eyes twinkling with wisdom, offered me a simple meal.
As I prepared to leave, he handed me a wooden stick, an unassuming gift that soon became a sacred companion. With every step forward, the stick seemed to absorb my trials, grounding me in the present moment. It transformed into more than a walking aid—it became a symbol of resilience, simplicity, and surrender.
Even my humble slippers, often overlooked, became heroes of this journey. For six days, they shielded my feet from the jagged edges of ancient roads, the scorching heat of the highway, and the unexpected hurdles of stray dogs patrolling narrow alleys. These unassuming protectors bore the weight of not just my worldly belongings but my spiritual aspirations.
As they began to wear thin, I realized their quiet strength was a reflection of the journey itself—one of endurance, humility, and grace. On reaching the Ganga at Varanasi, I performed a final act of gratitude. I bathed the slippers in the sacred waters and laid them to rest near Dasaswamedha Ghat. Walking away barefoot, I felt an unexpected grief, as though bidding farewell to an unsung friend who had given everything, asking for nothing in return.
The City of Light
When the iconic temples of Kashi emerged from the morning mist, my heart swelled with anticipation. The bustling Dasaswamedha Ghat, with its shimmering waters and sacred rituals, welcomed me with open arms. The Ganga whispered its timeless hymns, and I stood humbled by its vast, flowing divinity.
Here, I made a final offering. Lowering the wooden stick into the Ganga’s embrace, I watched it float away, carrying with it my gratitude and attachments. In its simplicity, the act symbolized release—letting go while holding on to the lessons it had taught me.
Finally, the moment of culmination arrived. Standing before Lord Vishwanath, I poured the holy water from the Sangam over the ancient lingam. In that sacred act, time seemed to dissolve. The miles of my journey, the prayers whispered into the wind, the dips in the Sangam—all converged into a single, transcendent moment.
Five Sacred Nights at Mahavir Hanuman’s Temple
For five nights, I found shelter within the peaceful walls of Mahavir Hanuman’s temple. My evening fasts, observed in quiet devotion, matched the temple’s rhythm perfectly. The temple keepers, seeing me as a simple pilgrim, welcomed me without hesitation. I kept my true purpose close to my heart, like a flame protected from the wind. I knew that spiritual journeys often grow best in silence, and sharing my intentions too soon would have scattered seeds meant to take root within.
Each night in the temple’s care brought me closer to my inner quest—a connection with the timeless wisdom of Kashi. I embraced every moment of the journey, whether sweet or challenging. The humbling experiences helped me let go of my ego, while acts of kindness opened my heart wider. Like a river accepting both gentle rain and fierce storms, I learned to see every experience as a sacred lesson meant to shape my path.
As my time at the temple came to an end, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Every person I met along the way—the old man who gave me the wooden club, the temple keepers who provided shelter, and the many unnamed faces that crossed my path—had become part of my journey. I offered my thanks not just in words but in silent prayers, hoping that our brief encounters had served a higher purpose in the divine plan of life.
When I left the temple, I carried with me a quiet understanding: the most profound lessons are found in simple moments, and true devotion lies in humbly accepting each step of the journey as sacred.
Lessons in the Journey
This was more than a physical pilgrimage; it was a spiritual odyssey. The jar of water, the wooden stick, and even the humble slippers transformed from mundane objects into sacred symbols. They taught me that in the service of something greater, the simplest things hold profound meaning.
As I left Kashi, barefoot and filled with gratitude, I carried with me not just memories but a profound realization: the journey to wisdom is not about reaching a destination but about the steps you take along the way. In the humble, unseen acts of devotion and resilience lie the deepest truths of the human spirit.