Maha Kumbh isn’t just a place where one seeks to be closer to the divine and atone for one’ sins by dipping in the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati but it is also a place where new unions are made.
The same stands true for a couple who has found love across continents. Penelope from Greece and Siddharth from India decided to get married at none other than the auspicious pilgrimage at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
This Maha Kumbh is a special one as it only comes every 144 years.
According to a report by NDTV, Siddharth claimed that they decided to perform this sacred ceremony at Maha Kumbh because it is currently the best place in the “whole universe” for its divine nature.
Penelope’s kanyadaan was performed by Swami Yatindranand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara along with bride’s mother and other relatives.
Siddharth told news agency ANI, “We are very grateful just to get married to each other, she is really special.
“When we decided on it, we wanted to do it in the most authentic manner which would be simple yet divine, and for that, we chose Prayagraj, Maha Kumbh, this specific date (January 26).
“We know that at this point of time that this is probably the best place not just in the country or in the world but the universe where all forms of divinity, pilgrimages everything is present here. You meet such great souls. We meet Maharaj ji (Swami Yatindranand Giri) and get his blessings and this is such a pleasure for the heart and the soul.”
Siddharth also said that Sanatan Dharma is an “ancient window to the world” and marriage, an important institution had to be performed in a ‘Vedic’ way.
Penelope called this experience “magical beyond words”. She said she had never experienced an Indian wedding before and now she experienced one as a bride. She said she is looking forward to embrace a new culture.
She also said that when Siddharth gave her the option of marrying in Greece or India, she chose India as it was the more ‘divine’ option in her opinion.
There are some things that have been changing over the years, like weddings are just another opportunity to party and get drunk and for us it was more divine. It was very nice to see a different perspective, a spiritual way,” she said.
Penelope said she was earlier associated with Buddhism, the bride said she realised that “everything comes from ‘Sanatan Dharma’.