Pune Couple, Both 72, Travels 3,000 Km on Two-Wheeler to Attend Mahakumbh Mela

Pune, 18th February 2025: While most devotees waited for train or flight tickets to attend the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a 72-year-old couple from Pune took an unconventional route—riding a two-wheeler all the way. Suryakant Sakhre and his wife, Rajni Sakhre, covered over 3,000 km on their scooter, visiting several religious sites along the way before returning to Pune.

The Mahakumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, has drawn devotees from across India and abroad, causing a surge in demand for travel tickets. However, instead of waiting for reservations, the Sakhre couple, residents of Shaniwar Peth, chose to embark on their pilgrimage on their two-wheeler.

Their 24-day journey took them through Shani Shingnapur, Shirdi, Ujjain, Chitrakoot, Kashi, and Ayodhya before they reached Prayagraj to take part in the sacred rituals of the Mahakumbh.

Upon their return, the couple was felicitated by their family, friends, and well-wishers, including Aniruddha Yewale, Mahesh Suryavanshi (Treasurer, Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Mandir Trust), MLA Hemant Rasane, Parag Thakur, Shridhar Sakhre, Manisha Zhende, and Prachi Ekke.

Speaking about the journey, Suryakant Sakhre revealed that he had long dreamed of undertaking a pilgrimage to Kashi but had postponed it for three to four years. When he learned that the Mahakumbh Mela was being held in Prayagraj this year, he decided to make the trip with his wife on a two-wheeler.

Since the journey was long and physically demanding, he undertook a ten-day trial ride in December to prepare himself. Then, in early January, the couple set off on their spiritual adventure.

“We started our journey from Pune and first visited Shirdi for Sai Baba’s darshan. From there, we traveled across multiple religious sites before reaching Prayagraj. The experience of participating in the Mahakumbh Mela was truly extraordinary,” said Sakhre.

Despite their enthusiasm, the couple faced several challenges during their long journey. Sakhre admitted that he did not know how to use Google Maps, so he navigated by asking locals for directions.

“In Prayagraj, the administration was very cooperative. I was even allowed to take my bike straight to the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. We had a few difficulties, such as a punctured tire, but we always found people willing to help us,” he added.

To avoid exhaustion, the couple followed a disciplined schedule—starting their ride early in the morning and stopping by 5:30 PM every evening to rest. This careful planning ensured they had no major health issues throughout their journey.

The Sakhre couple’s remarkable journey has inspired many, proving that age is no barrier when faith and determination are strong.