Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges

Journalist and presenter Amol Rajan travels to India on a deeply personal pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela, the largest religious festival in history.

Born in India to a practising Hindu family, though now an atheist, Amol is still struggling to come to terms with the death of his father three years ago. He wonders whether reconnecting with his birthplace at one of Hinduism’s most important events could help him process his grief.

Joining millions of pilgrims, Amol hopes to bathe in the sacred waters where the Ganges, Yamuna and mystical Saraswati meet. By taking part in this ritual, it is believed he can help release his father’s soul from the cycle of life and death.

But attending the largest gathering of people in history is not without danger. On the most auspicious bathing day, a deadly crowd crush leaves 30 people dead and 90 injured. Forced to abandon his plans amid the chaos, Amol must decide whether to continue his journey to the river at all and what it will mean for his own journey through grief.