In my journey as a pilgrim, I’ve walked the tranquil paths of the Camino de Santiago and, more recently, immersed myself in the vibrant energy of the Kumbh Mela. Both are pilgrimages in every sense of the word, yet their contrasts couldn’t be starker.

One whispers to the soul; the other roars with the collective voice of Bharat’s humanity.

What could this country become if we all worked and lived in peace in the same spirit of the Kumbh?

While many feel it reflects the punch of exclusive faith, to me it reflects the beating heart of Bharat that loves all its children unconditionally, just as the the Ganges pours its life-giving water to all, the spirituality and soul of India cannot be contained, labelled or constricted.

The Camino: A Quiet Conversation

Walking the Camino is like stepping into a long, slow conversation with yourself and the world around you. The rhythm of your feet on the gravel, the golden light of dawn, and the simplicity of carrying everything you need on your back strips life down to its essence.

Each day unfolds quietly, as the path takes you through sleepy villages, rolling vineyards, and ancient forests. There’s no rush, no urgency—just the road ahead and the inner journey it inspires. I remember lighting candles in tiny chapels, pausing to breathe in the stillness, and feeling a profound sense of peace. There were days when we saw no one on the road, and only a handful in the village.

On the Camino, the divine speaks softly. The journey is deeply personal, as if each step is a question and the Way offers a quiet answer in return.

The Kumbh Mela: A Roaring Symphony of Faith

In contrast, the Kumbh Mela is a portal and a pilgrimage of immersion—not just in sacred waters but in the overwhelming energy of humanity. During my two days there, on the most auspicious dates of the event, I stayed in the sprawling tent city, surrounded by millions of devotees. Yet, you ‘find yourself’ when you enter through the gate that is the Khumb.

Taking the boat to the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati, was unforgettable. The riverbanks were alive with rituals: priests performing aarti, pilgrims chanting prayers, and the air thick with the scent of sandalwood and marigold.

When I took the holy dip, I felt something ancient and eternal flowing through me. It was a moment of surrender—not to silence, but to the collective faith of millions. Unlike the introspection of the Camino, the Kumbh Mela demanded that I step out of myself and lose my individuality in the vast river of humanity. And when you do this, in a contradictory fashion, you feel centred in your heart and soul. As if for a moment you are the only person in the world.

The Rhythm of Solitude and Togetherness

The Camino is a pilgrimage of solitude. You spend long hours walking alone, your thoughts unfolding like the road ahead. Evenings bring camaraderie with fellow pilgrims, but the essence of the journey remains deeply personal. Step by step you walk until you reach your destination, to find that the Cathedral de Santiago wasn’t the end at all – but only the beginning of a new journey.

The Kumbh Mela, on the other hand, immerses you in togetherness. You’re never alone—not in the tent city, on the riverbanks, or even in the waters of the Sangam. Yet, in that crowd, there’s a profound sense of unity. You’re part of something much larger than yourself, connected by shared rituals and collective devotion.

Rituals: Whisper vs. Roar

On the Camino, rituals are subtle and personal—placing a stone at the Cruz de Ferro, lighting a candle in a chapel, or tying on the scallop shell that marks you as a pilgrim.

At the Kumbh Mela, rituals are vivid and sensory. The holy dip is central, but so are the chants, the aarti flames, and the sight of saffron-clad sadhus meditating by the river. While the Camino whispers its sacredness, the Kumbh Mela declares it boldly, unapologetically.

The Teachings of Two Pilgrimages

The Camino taught me patience and trust—each step a reminder that the journey matters as much as the destination. It showed me the beauty of simplicity and the quiet strength that comes from listening to your own heart.

The Kumbh Mela taught me surrender—not just to the chaos around me, but to the immense power of collective faith. It reminded me that the divine isn’t always found in silence; sometimes, it’s in the overwhelming roar of humanity moving as one.

Two Paths, One Soul

Walking the Camino felt like peeling back layers of myself, discovering who I am at my core. The Kumbh Mela, in contrast, reminded me that we’re all connected—that our individual journeys are threads in a much larger tapestry.

Both pilgrimages transformed me, but in different ways. One called me inward; the other drew me outward. One taught me to listen; the other to surrender.

Conclusion

If you ever have the chance to walk the Camino or stand on the banks of the Sangam, I urge you to do so. Because whether in solitude or in the embrace of millions, you’ll find that every pilgrimage leads to the same place: a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world. The Camino de Santiago and Kumbh Mela are sisters in spirit!