Prayagraj: Ladies of Vipul Khand Gomtinagar Lucknow went to seek blessings of Ma Ganga. On account of MahakumbA group of enthusiastic travelers recently embarked on a spiritual journey to Prayagraj, a city renowned for hosting the world’s largest religious and spiritual congregation of Hindus. Having read about its significance in various media reports, they were eager to witness the grandeur firsthand. Pilgrims from different states and countries traveled great distances by car, train, and flights to participate in the holy event.
For the first time in their lives, the travelers experienced the incredible arrangements made by the State Government and various departments to manage the massive influx of devotees. From security to sanitation and medical aid, every aspect was meticulously planned. Their visit turned out to be a lifetime experience and a remarkable achievement.
The group stayed at the Tent City in private Swiss tents, which offered a comfortable and homely environment. They were particularly pleased with the excellent facilities, including hygienic, home-cooked food. Given the enormity of the gathering, with more than one crore people taking a dip at the ghats daily, such arrangements were indeed commendable.
However, amid the grandeur and devotion, they were disheartened by certain local practices. The exorbitant hike in boat charges and local transport fares forced many pilgrims to walk nearly 10-15 kilometers from the parking areas to the ghats. Such exploitation, they felt, needed strict regulation, as it unfairly burdened the poor and middle-class devotees.
Managing the overwhelming crowd proved to be a herculean task. The influx of private vehicles caused severe congestion in the city, making movement nearly impossible. Traffic jams stretched for hours, leaving people stranded for 5-8 hours to cross mere kilometers, often without food. The situation was worsened by poor traffic control and frequent VIP movements, which further disrupted the daily lives of both visitors and locals.
The travelers, who took 12 hours to reach Prayagraj from Lucknow and another 12 hours for their return journey, learned valuable lessons from their trip. Group leader Rekha Kumar advised future visitors to opt for pooled vehicles or buses to avoid unnecessary delays. She also recommended carrying ample dry snacks, fruits, drinking water, tea, coffee, and hot water to sustain themselves in case of unexpected traffic halts.
The group comprised Rekha Kumar, Aparna Sinha, Gitanjali, Sadhna Kohli, Gita Srivastava, Surender Kaur, Neelam Pandhi, SV Kumar, Pankaj Dinha, RK Kohli, and Sanjay Pandhi. Their collective experience underscored both the magnificence and the logistical challenges of Prayagraj’s grand congregation, emphasizing the need for better regulation and improved transportation facilities for future gatherings.
