Traveling has always been a source of realization for me. Born in the late '70s, I have often marvelled at how, by God’s grace, I have retained the heart of a child. Recently, this sense of wonder was reignited during my trip from IIT Guwahati, where I was honoured to adjudicate the finale of SPARKLE’25, an entrepreneurial boot camp under UDGAM by IIT-G, where I was truly sparkled by the glittering stars in the form of budding young entrepreneurs of INDIA and the young, dynamic, humble, and energetic team of students who orchestrated the entire event with such precision and perfection that it became an unforgettable experience for me and my team(EDUJOY BHARAT). Little did I realise that the journey back would offer an experience that would touch my soul.

Our flight from Guwahati to Ahmedabad was scheduled for 5:00 PM. A window seat gives me endless joy making me happy every time I get one.I prefer to watch the outside world rather than plug my ears or my phone into, during my journeys. I prefer watching through the window while traveling on trains, buses and planes. The world outside fascinates me, observing people around inspires me and this flight was no different.

As daylight still lingered when we took off, the view from above reminded me of the Earth’s vastness and how tiny we are in comparison. It also brings a sobering realization of how we, as humans, are gradually destroying this unparalleled beauty. Despite feeling sleepy my inner joy rose whenever I caught sight of white, cottony, cloud formations, sunlight shimmering at the horizon, and snowy peaks glinting in sunlight.

The flight continued while street lights began to sparkle below. Suddenly, something extraordinary caught my eye. I compared the lights to regular city lights but they radiated strong intensity across a huge area. My heart skipped a beat. I needed someone to stand with me at that elevation to testify to my experience. Unlike train travel which lists stations, I had no way to identify our exact location during the journey. So, I knocked my sleepy husband who was sitting beside me, trying to get some energy but could not due to my regular interventions. Blinking his eyes he also peeped to satisfy my quest and I could see the dilation of his pupil at the magnificent sight.

All at once, his pale, dull face changed into that of an inquisitive engineer trying to figure out the co ordinates of the location with all his wit. Curious and captivated, using his engineering acumen, he calculated our flight’s route, timing and all that was needed to understand the location of the spectacle below. Based on our path from Guwahati to Ahmedabad, we realized that we were witnessing something truly remarkable, an aerial view of the Mahakumbh Mela. Millions of people had gathered to take a holy dip, their faith and devotion illuminating the ground below in a spectacular display of light and energy.

For a moment, I was overwhelmed. The sheer magnitude of what I was witnessing brought tears to my eyes. It was a sight I had never dreamed I would be fortunate enough to see, even in my wildest imagination. There I was, high above the Earth, silently praying and feeling deeply connected to the divine.

As the lights of the Mahakumbh faded into the distance, a profound sense of gratitude filled my heart. I felt pious, blessed, and utterly humbled by the experience. It was as if the universe had granted me this moment of a lifetime as a reminder of life’s beauty and the divine grace that surrounds us.

This journey was not just about traveling from one place to another—it was about reconnecting with the childlike wonder within me, embracing the grandeur of our world, and cherishing a rare glimpse of something truly sacred.

Feeling grateful, feeling blessed, and feeling alive.