🛕 Introduction: A Divine Quest Begins
In January 2025, I accompanied two close friends on a deeply spiritual journey from Bangalore to Prayagraj, with stops in the sacred cities of Kashi (Varanasi) and Ayodhya. Our week-long pilgrimage was from January 22nd to January 29th which covered the holy dip in Triveni Sangam on mouni amaavasya during Kumbh mela that occurs once in 144 years!
Our journey was not just about visiting temples but reconnecting with our roots, exploring timeless traditions, and immersing ourselves in India’s spiritual heartland.
📍 Day 1: Departure from Bangalore – The Spiritual Itinerary Begins
We kicked off on January 22nd from Bangalore with hearts full of anticipation. With backpacks loaded and spiritual energy high, we boarded our flight to Prayagraj, the site of the world-renowned Kumbh Mela.
After a memorable flight, we reached late afternoon just in time for Hi- Tea and later to witness the Ganga Aarti at the luxurious Kumbh tent we were staying at. The sound of conch shells, chants echoing in the dusk, and lamps floating down the river—our journey had truly begun.
🛶 Day 2: Bathing at Triveni Sangam & Visit to Vindhyavasini Temple
Our morning began with a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, the meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. The water was ice-cold, but the experience was soul-warming. Pilgrims from across India had gathered for their moment of moksha.
Later, we traveled to Vindhyavasini Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Located in the Vindhya range, this temple is a powerful spiritual center dedicated to Goddess Durga. It felt like divine energy was guiding us throughout the day.
🪔 Day 3: Arrival at Kashi – The City of Light
On the third day, we journeyed to Kashi (Varanasi). It was already time for the Ganga Aarti at 6PM so we hurried to the manikarnika ghat to witness the beauty and immerse in the divine Aarti. Later we decided to visit one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva- Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Despite the late hour, the temple was alive with spiritual energy and finished darshan by 11 PM. We were super hungry and went scouting for food. As the place was very crowded due to the pilgrims of Kumbh, all hotels were running short of services so we waited while we found a small dosa shop that was serving snacks.
After having our dinner we headed back to our hotel and ended the night with silent prayers and gratitude for reaching one of Hinduism’s holiest sites.
🌅 Day 4: Exploring Annapurna Temple and Ghats of Varanasi
The next morning, we visited the Annapurna Devi Temple, located adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath. Known as the Goddess of nourishment, Annapurna is believed to bless her devotees with both spiritual and material fulfillment.
We spent the day exploring the ghats of Varanasi, taking a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, sipping chai along the banks, and observing life unfold in the narrow alleys and vibrant temples of this ancient city.
🛕 Day 5: Temple Hopping & Preparing for Ayodhya
Our day was filled with temple visits and spiritual walks. We had planned to take a 9AM bus to Ayodhya. Early morning we visited the Varahi Temple, a hidden gem dedicated to the fierce goddess Varahi and later reached the bus stand to board our bus to Ayodhya.But the bus never reached the stop due to heavy traffic.
We waited till 1 PM and wasting no time we decided to hire a cab and began our overnight journey to Ayodhya, eager to witness the newly constructed Ram Mandir.
🙏 Day 6: Darshan at Ram Mandir, Ayodhya
We reached Ayodhya early in the morning around 7 AM. Despite the fatigue, our excitement was immeasurable. Within just two hours, we had the darshan at Ram Mandir, and it was a truly humbling experience.
The temple’s architecture, scale, and spiritual ambiance left us in awe. Every inch of the site resonated with devotion and reverence. This was a once-in-a-generation moment we felt blessed to witness.
By afternoon, we resumed our journey back to Prayagraj, traveling overnight yet again and arriving by the morning of January 29th.
🕉️ Day 7: Back in Prayagraj for a Final Dip in the Ganga
Our final day began with another holy dip at Sangam on the auspicious occasion of Mouni Amavasya, marking the end of our Kumbh experience. The city was still filled with the vibrant energy of the Mela—sadhus, devotees, processions, and spiritual discourses everywhere you turned.
We got back with the help of a bike rider who was doing free service to pilgrims as there were no other commute options. We thanked him for his selfless service and headed back to reach our cab that was waiting few kms away.
🚉 Day 8: Return to Kashi and Back to Bangalore
We reached Kashi by about 11 PM and hit the bed exhausted after a very long cab journey of two days. The city felt like home after a week of travel. We offered our final prayers and reminisced about the whirlwind journey we had just completed.
We boarded our return flight back to Bangalore, next day morning ending our journey on a note of peace, gratitude, and spiritual fulfillment.
✨ Reflections: Why This Journey Was Unforgettable
This trip was much more than a vacation—it was a pilgrimage of the soul. From the spiritual magnetism of Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the eternal energy of Kashi Vishwanath, to the divine presence at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, each place transformed us in ways words can hardly capture.
đź”– Suggested Travel Tips:
- Best time to visit: During Kumbh Mela or festivals like Mahashivratri or Ram Navami
- Clothing: Carry warm clothes if traveling in January
- Transportation: Be flexible; delays are common in such crowded pilgrim zones
- Accommodation: Book early during Kumbh; consider dharmshalas and budget lodges
- Must-carry items: Reusable water bottle, power bank, and spiritual books for train journeys
🧠Places We Visited:
- Prayagraj: Triveni Sangam, Vindhyavasini Temple, Ganga Aarti
- Kashi (Varanasi): Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Annapurna Devi Temple, Varanasi Ghats, Varahi Temple
- Ayodhya: Ram Mandir, Ram Janmabhoomi complex
đź“Ś Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a soul-refreshing journey filled with tradition, devotion, and unforgettable moments, this route from Bangalore to Prayagraj, Kashi, and Ayodhya during Kumbh Mela is one for the books.
Let this blog inspire your own spiritual adventure.