On June 25, 2025, the BBC premiered a deeply personal and culturally rich documentary titled Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges, which follows journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan on a transformative journey to India’s Maha Kumbh Mela. The film, available exclusively on BBC iPlayer in the UK and accessible in Canada through VPN services, explores themes of grief, identity, and spiritual healing against the backdrop of the world’s largest religious gathering.
Amol Rajan, born in Kolkata but raised in southwest London, has been grappling with the loss of his father, who died unexpectedly from pneumonia three years prior. As he candidly admits in the documentary, “I’ve been in a bit of a funk ever since,” a sentiment that resonates with many who have faced profound loss. His mother, a practicing Hindu, appears to possess an emotional resilience and coping “toolkit” that Rajan feels he lacks, prompting him to embark on a pilgrimage that is as much about reconnecting with his roots as it is about confronting his grief.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every twelve years and occurring in its grandest form once every 144 years, is a monumental event drawing over 500 million pilgrims—making it the largest human gathering in history. Devotees converge on the sacred city of Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers to bathe in the holy waters, seeking spiritual liberation or moksha. For Rajan, an atheist who describes himself as a “cradle Hindu,” the pilgrimage raises a poignant question: can someone without religious faith find solace in such a spiritual ritual?
From the outset, the documentary captures the tension in Rajan’s emotions. His light-hearted banter with his mother—such as jokingly asking if she wants him to return as a “mystical yogi”—belies the seriousness of his quest. He hopes the journey will make his grief “not feel so raw.” Upon arriving in India, Rajan is immediately struck by the scale and intensity of the Kumbh Mela. The temporary city built for the event is a feat of engineering, featuring 30 pontoon bridges, 250 miles of roads, and 150,000 toilets to accommodate the millions. Yet, even amid this vast infrastructure, the sheer human energy and devotion are overwhelming.
Rajan’s narrative is interwoven with moments of awe and vulnerability. Standing by the riverbank, he confesses, “I feel small and humble and pious,” despite his agnosticism. The chaotic, vibrant atmosphere is punctuated by rituals such as chanting in an ashram, where he humorously notes that the sadhus stay up late watching YouTube and exchanging WhatsApp videos—a modern twist on ancient traditions.
However, the pilgrimage is not without tragedy. Early in the journey, Rajan and his entourage are halted by news of a fatal crowd crush that claimed over 30 lives and injured 90 others, many of whom were elderly, fragile pilgrims sleeping when they were trampled. Rajan’s raw reaction is heart-wrenching: “The people in front of me were just stepping on women… they were like human debris on the floor.” This harrowing experience interrupts his spiritual quest but deepens his understanding of life and death.
Guided by Lakshmi, a devoted follower of a local Sadhu, Rajan learns a profound lesson in acceptance. Lakshmi calmly explains, “There’s no difference between life and death,” a philosophy that challenges his grief-stricken mindset. As Rajan reflects, “I feel a kind of raw emotional power of grief that would benefit from your indifference,” underscoring the struggle between human sorrow and spiritual detachment.
The climax of the documentary is both intimate and moving. Though Rajan is unable to reach the sacred confluence—the Sangam—due to the dangerous crowd surges, he performs the ancient pind daan ritual to release his father’s soul. Standing by the river, he releases oatmeal into the water, whispering a poignant farewell: “Bye, Dad.” In that moment, he feels the “cosmic energies flowing through me right now… in the Holy Ganga.” The ritual serves as Rajan’s final act of love and spiritual service, a cathartic release of grief.
The documentary has struck a chord with viewers worldwide. BBC audiences were visibly moved as Rajan broke down on camera, openly sharing his pain. Social media lit up with messages of empathy and shared sorrow, with viewers relating their own experiences of loss. Many praised Rajan’s mother for her calm strength, dubbing her a “force of nature” and a “treasure” who provided emotional support throughout the journey.
Critics have noted the documentary’s unique blend of personal narrative and cultural exploration. While some found the film’s sincerity occasionally strained, others lauded its honest portrayal of the complexities of grief and the human search for meaning. The program does not make religious claims but instead offers a compelling case for the comforting power of faith and ritual, even for skeptics.
Amol Rajan’s journey also sheds light on the broader significance of the Maha Kumbh Mela, an event that transcends religion to become a massive social and cultural phenomenon. Despite being funded by the Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi—who invested £600 million into the 2025 festival—the documentary remains largely depoliticized, focusing instead on the human stories within the gathering.
Ultimately, Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges is a story about loss, belonging, and the search for peace. It captures the paradox of second-generation immigrants like Rajan, caught between inherited traditions and modern secular life, seeking answers in ancient rituals. It’s a testament to the enduring human need to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to find solace in shared experience, and to confront grief with courage and openness.
For those interested in viewing the documentary outside the UK, it is accessible on BBC iPlayer with a valid TV licence, provided viewers use a reliable VPN to bypass geo-restrictions. The film will remain available on the platform for 11 months following its premiere.
As Rajan’s journey shows, whether one is a believer or an agnostic, the pilgrimage to the Ganges offers a profound encounter with life’s most universal themes—loss, love, and the hope for transcendence.
