Indigo CEO Describes ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Experience at Mahakumbh Mela, Taking a holy Dip at 5 AM

Pieter Elbers, the CEO of India’s largest airline Indigo, recently attended the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, marking a momentous event that holds special significance for devotees and visitors alike. The Mahakumbh, a religious gathering of monumental scale, takes place once in 144 years under a rare and highly auspicious astrological alignment. The last such occurrence was in 1881, making this year’s Mahakumbh even more unique for participants.

Elbers, who joined millions of people at the world’s largest religious festival over the weekend, shared his reflections about the experience on LinkedIn, describing it as a “once-in-a-lifetime” event. He marveled at the vastness of the gathering, which is expected to attract an estimated 450 million visitors over the course of 45 days — a number larger than the population of the United States.

Elbers, who visited the Mahakumbh on January 26, noted that the magnitude of the event was impossible to describe accurately with words, images, or even video. Despite this, he attempted to capture the essence of the gathering in his post, saying, “Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Once in 144 years…the largest gathering of mankind on planet Earth!” His awe and appreciation for the festival’s scale were palpable as he likened the number of attendees to the population of Europe.

However, it was the spiritual side of the Mahakumbh Mela that left a lasting impression on the Indigo CEO. Early in the morning, Elbers took part in the sacred ritual of bathing in the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. He described the moment as one of profound peace amidst the surrounding chaos, saying, “I took the holy early morning dip at 5 am in the sacred confluence of rivers, the holy Sangam, with about a million at the same time, surrounded by chants, prayers, devotion, and the unity of humanity.”

The spiritual experience of the holy dip, along with the vibrant devotion surrounding him, left Elbers feeling “humbled and grateful,” calling it a moment he would “cherish forever.”

In his post, the CEO expressed gratitude for the team at Indigo’s Prayagraj airport for their exceptional service during such busy times, highlighting their hard work and dedication during the Mahakumbh’s ongoing events.

Pieter Elbers, who took over as CEO of Indigo in 2022, previously served as the president and CEO of KLM, the Netherlands’ national carrier. His experience at the Mahakumbh Mela offers a glimpse into the deep cultural and spiritual significance of the event, leaving an indelible mark on him during this rare occurrence.

Sources By Agencies

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