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British explorer and tv host Levison Wooden has returned to India to expertise the Mahakumbh Mela, desperate to delve into the sacred non secular pilgrimage. Having fashioned a profound bond with India by his quite a few visits, Levison is now discovering a brand new side of the nation as he explores its non secular depths. Additionally learn: Google celebrates Mahakumbh 2025 with digital flower bathe animation on search display
In an interview with Hindustan Instances, Levison opens up about his bond with India, why he needed to attend the continued Mahakumbh Mela, and extra.
On coming to witness Mahakumbh Mela
Levison could not comprise his pleasure as he shared his plans to affix the continued Mahakumbh Mela. It began on January 13, 2025, in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj and is ready to conclude on February 26. A number of devotees have flocked to the Triveni Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the legendary Saraswati rivers—to take the holy dip, looking for non secular cleaning and ‘Moksha’.
“I’m very excited to be there on the Mahakumbh. It has been one thing which I’ve needed to do for a few years. I bear in mind studying about it once I was younger, and used to suppose that I’ll go there sooner or later. I’ve been ready for this for the previous 12 years,” says Levison.
When requested what facet of the Mahakumbh Mela he was most eagerly anticipating, the explorer, author and photographer shares, “It’s the alternative to be immersed in such an unbelievable gathering of individuals, who’re all there on a non secular pilgrimage.”
“It’s highly effective to be amongst individuals with such dedication. Individuals have walked from throughout India. I’ve seen and skilled the ability of happening a non secular journey all all over the world. And that is the biggest gathering of people ever wherever on Earth. Simply to be part of that and witness it is going to be unbelievable. As a photographer, there shall be loads of alternatives to doc the gathering as nicely,” he provides.
On his bond with India
Levison’s first go to to India was when he was 19, which left an indelible mark on his life. Since then, he has cultivated a deeply private and enduring reference to the nation, which attracts him again time and time once more.
Wanting again, he mentioned, “India was one of many first locations I visited once I began travelling. Identical to a number of younger British backpackers searching for solutions, I got here to India. I got here right here once I was 19 in 2001. I spent a while within the Himalayas. I used to be in Himachal Pradesh following which I got here to Delhi. I had such an unbelievable expertise that I’ve returned many instances over time.”
“I walked to the size of the Himalayas from Afghanistan to Bhutan again in 2015, and that included totally different elements of North India. I fashioned this deep reference to India. I have been coming to India all of my grownup life, actually over the past 25 years. I’ve seen it develop and alter. It’s a place that I’ll at all times return to,” he provides.
On how spirituality impacted his life
For Levison, his journeys to India have been a transformative odyssey of non secular discovery, which is mirrored in his forthcoming e book, The Nice Tree Story.
“The non secular facet of the nation has impacted me in some ways. There’s one thing deeply ingrained in Hindu spirituality about our connection to nature… Whether or not it is in mythology or ecology, there are some unbelievable tales that humankind will pay heed to. It has impacted me on numerous ranges. I’m writing a e book referred to as The Nice Tree story is about humanity’s connection to nature all through the ages,” he says, including, “There are a number of classes that we that we will study from the Hindu custom in that. It has been a formative a part of my understanding of why we exist?”
Now, he says he’s utilizing his platform to make clear vital causes and why taking care of the planet “is an important issues we will do”.
On what’s subsequent
Levison, an ex-British military officer and explorer, is understood for discovery+ titles corresponding to Expedition Borderlands with Ash Bhardwaj, the place they go to the area of Ladakh and discover the tradition of the Balti individuals, and the Strolling With. The sequence contains titles corresponding to Strolling with Polar Bears, Strolling with Lions, Strolling with Orangutans amongst others.
Ask if one can anticipate a mission on his time from Mahakumbh, and Levison shares, “Properly, I am really writing an article for the Telegraph within the UK. I will be doing a little images for a images exhibition. So yeah, there shall be one thing from my newest journey right here.”
