The Maha Kumbh Mela of 2025 in Prayagraj is an embodiment of faith, tradition, and deep familial bonds. As millions of devotees from across India and the world take the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam — the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers — some stories stand out for their sheer depth of devotion. Among them is the remarkable journey of two daughters who flew from California to fulfill their aging father’s wish to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges.
Father’s simple yet profound wish
For many Hindus, the Kumbh is not just a pilgrimage; it is a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual fulfillment. This was true for an 85-year-old father who, when asked by his daughter Suhag A. Shukla what he wished for on his birthday, responded with quiet conviction: “I have everything I need, but if you ask, I wish to bathe in the Kumbh.” For Suhag, Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation, and her sisters, their father’s wish was a call to action. Without hesitation, they arranged flights from California, crossed continents, and made their way to Prayagraj, determined to make his dream a reality.
Journey of devotion & sacrifice
When they finally arrived at the Sangam, the sight of their father standing at the riverbank with folded hands, eyes brimming with gratitude, was enough to dissolve any exhaustion. “It wasn’t just about the dip,” Suhag shared later. “It was about honouring a wish that meant the world to him.”
But the pilgrimage was not without its challenges. The vast expanse of the Kumbh Mela requires pilgrims to traverse long distances, often on foot. When a fellow devotee, Dhiraj Sinha, warned her about the strenuous walk, Suhag replied, “Indeed, walked eight dusty miles today.” Yet, the struggle did not diminish the joy of the experience—it enhanced it.
Story that touched thousands
Suhag shared her family’s journey on social media platform X, and it quickly resonated with thousands, drawing admiration from across the world. “My father is a proud man today,” she wrote. “We travelled across half the world, but no journey could be more rewarding than this.”
Social media users flooded the post with messages of praise and reflection.
“Your father is truly blessed to have such incredible daughters. You have crossed oceans to fulfill his sacred wish,” one user commented.
Another reflected, “There is no greater blessing than fulfilling the true wishes of our parents. I had the same fortune when I took mine to Kashi and Ayodhya.”
Maria Wirth, a German-born author who has deeply engaged with Indian spiritual traditions, wrote, “Indian families are truly remarkable. The West is called ‘developed,’ and India is called ‘developing.’ But I think it’s the other way around.”
Dr. Samir Kagalkar remarked, “Blessed is your father for wanting Kumbh Snan, and blessed are you daughters for making it happen.”
Voices from the pilgrimage
The story resonated not just online but also among fellow pilgrims at the Kumbh. Many who had undertaken similar journeys of faith found inspiration in the Shukla family’s devotion. Rajesh Kumar, a 42-year-old devotee from Bihar, remarked, “Seeing families come together from across the world reinforces the unity and devotion that Kumbh embodies.”
Meera Joshi, a 58-year-old pilgrim from Gujarat, shared a similar sentiment. “I came here with my son, and I understand what this means for their father. These daughters are an example for all of us.”
For many, the Maha Kumbh is a test of endurance and faith. Satyendra Tiwari, a 65-year-old farmer from Madhya Pradesh, walked nearly 30 kilometers to reach the Sangam. Upon hearing the story, he said, “I may not have come from as far as America, but the devotion is the same. Whether from Madhya Pradesh or California, when it comes to faith, distance does not matter.”
Celebration of faith & humanity
The Kumbh Mela, recognised as the world’s largest religious gathering, holds profound significance in Hinduism. However, beyond the religious aspect, the Kumbh is a cultural and emotional event, a moment where millions find unity in faith, regardless of caste, region, or nationality.
The story of Suhag Shukla and her family is not just about a father’s wish—it is about the power of love, duty, and devotion that transcends borders. In a world often divided by differences, the Maha Kumbh continues to serve as a beacon of unity, reminding us that in the grand confluence of faith and humanity, no distance is ever too great.
