Crowd celebrating the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 / X/@MahaKumbh_2025

"I am truly blessed to have witnessed such spectacular showcases of ancient tradition, devotion, and spiritual heritage."

International yoga teacher and trainer Louis Lim (Ramana) from Malaysia experienced a deeply transformative journey at Maha Kumbh 2025.

The Kumbh visit made him better appreciate the power of religion and spirituality. 

“After attending the Mahakumbh, I can only say that if a religion has the power to inspire millions from all over the country, spanning different age groups, to endure harsh weather and exhaustion and come together to bathe in a common river, then spirituality cannot be harmful.”

Known by his initiated name, Ramana—bestowed upon him by his Guru, Acharya Shri Parveen Nair—Louis has dedicated himself to yoga since 2008, training under esteemed masters, including the late Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar. 

“I am a yoga teacher and have been practicing for 18 years and have always been very interested in the Vedic religion,” he said, explaining his relationship with Indian culture.

As the co-founder of Yoga Sadhana, Malaysia, his connection to India’s spiritual heritage deepened further in 2015 when he was invited by the Indian High Commission and the AYUSH Ministry (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homeopathy) to witness the first International Yoga Day, inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

Yet, it was Maha Kumbh—a festival of faith, devotion, and transcendence—that left the most profound impact on him.

“When I got to know Prayagraj was hosting Maha Kumbh, I did not think twice about coming for the festival.”

Malaysia to Prayagraj

Ever since he was introduced to the Hindu tradition and culture, Louis had dreamed of experiencing this grand event. His fascination was sparked by an Indian classical dance performance about Ganga and Kashi that he watched as a teenager in Malaysia.

“In my teens, I watched an Indian classical dance show back home in Malaysia; it was about Ganga and Kashi”, and since then, the culture has been deeply ingrained in him.

Being present at Maha Kumbh, he found himself particularly drawn to the sadhus, especially the Aghori babas. "The experience surpassed all my expectations—it was raw, intense, and deeply spiritual," he said.

At the Maha Kumbh, saints, pilgrims, and devotees come together to take part in sacred rituals, including bathing in the holy waters of the Ganges to purify themselves spiritually. / X/@MahaKumbh_2025

Life-changing experience

One of Louis’s most profound moments was taking a dip at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. He was initially hesitant about entering the muddy waters, but quickly overcame his doubts.

“I went on to take a dip like how others did. To my surprise, the experience is beyond words. I felt so at home like the holy river had the magic to make me realize I was home. I am home to this body. I was at once at peace; I didn't want to leave.”

The sheer scale of devotion left him in awe as he witnessed millions of pilgrims enduring long queues just for a glimpse of temple deities. "The devotion of the people was astonishing," he recalled. "India is an organized chaos—it teaches you to surrender."

While reflecting on his interactions with the crowd, Louis admitted, “As a foreigner, the crowd was too much to handle, as many were pushing, but my perception did not change.” 

During his visit to Varanasi, he encountered a story that profoundly shifted his perspective on life and death. “I was at Manikarnika Ghat, curious to witness its significance when a local shared something deeply moving. He explained that Hindus believe cremation at Manikarnika Ghat grants liberation from the cycle of birth and death. According to the Purana, Lord Shiva has vowed to remain in Kashi as long as the funeral pyres continue to burn. That is why many Hindus come here in their final days, seeking salvation.”

The conversation left Louis contemplating his mortality. "It made me reflect—will I ever be ready to face my own death?" he pondered.

For him, Maha Kumbh was more than just an event—it was a spiritual awakening. His time in India continues to shape his teachings, inspiring him to share the wisdom of ancient traditions with students worldwide.

"India doesn’t just teach you about spirituality; it immerses you in it, showing that true devotion lies in surrendering to the chaos and finding peace within it."