Opinion | The Revival Of Sanatan Dharma: Reflection On The 2025 Mahakumbh

The massive turnout at the Mahakumbh reflects a renewed faith in our scriptures, culture, ethos, and traditions—rooted in an understanding of their scientific credibility
n recent times, there has been much debate and discussion about the detachment from dharma among the youth of all religions. As education reaches all strata of society, people appear more rational and logical about their belief systems. We have seen Europe and America becoming increasingly atheist or drawn to belief systems other than Christianity. Churches are being abandoned, with many in Europe being converted into mandirs. In the Middle East, India, and the Far East, Muslim-majority countries are witnessing a wave of ex-Muslims leaving their traditional faiths due to perceived unscientific teachings and illogical reasoning.

Science-educated youth find it difficult to accept religious doctrines that do not align with scientific reasoning. The contradictions within religious texts are particularly evident in Abrahamic traditions. For example, female and male circumcision can be cruel and, in some cases, fatal. Similarly, the belief that planets revolve against the Sun is scientifically inaccurate. Many Abrahamic texts contain outdated information that critics argue should be revised.
In India, we have experienced over 1,000 years of Islamic and Christian rule. These rulers were oppressive, both financially and religiously. They plundered wealth, destroyed mandirs and other structures, and either renamed or modified them to align with their ideology and religious practices. This remains a point of contention with Muslims in a predominantly Hindu country, which was divided into three pieces in the name of Islam in 1947.

However, the greater damage to India occurred in the post-independence period, when the education system was taken over by individuals opposed to the fundamental ethos of Sanatan Dharma. Sanatan Dharma was distorted and misrepresented to Hindus through textbooks written by non-Sanskrit scholars with biased perspectives. Hindu scriptures, including the Vedas, Manusmriti, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, were misinterpreted, leading to widespread confusion. As a result, many Hindus have developed a sense of disillusionment with their own belief system and way of life.
In 2025, a grand Mahakumbh was celebrated for over 45 days at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati at Triveni Ghat. Over 65 crore Hindus from across the world took a dip in the pavitra waters of Triveni. The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj was a spectacular event, drawing more than 66 crore devotees from around the world. Held once every 144 years, it is considered one of the largest human congregations on Earth.
One of the most striking aspects of this Mahakumbh was the participation of the youth—over 60 per cent of the devotees were under the age of 30. Is this a resurgence of Sanatan Dharma? Or is it the influence of an unapologetically Hindu leadership at the Centre, coupled with Yogi Adityanath as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh—both of whom actively promote India’s ancient and rich cultural heritage? Or perhaps it is the impact of social media, which has helped demystify the essence and scientific underpinnings of Sanatan Dharma? Arguably, both factors have played a role.

Today’s youth are increasingly aware of astronomy and its scientific principles. They recognise the cosmic phenomena that shape our universe and are beginning to appreciate the scientific foundations of Sanatan Vaidic Dharma, which modern science continues to validate. The massive turnout at the Mahakumbh reflects a renewed faith in our scriptures, culture, ethos, and traditions—rooted in an understanding of their scientific credibility. Social media has emerged as a boon for Sanatan Dharma, while posing challenges for Abrahamic religions, which struggle to scientifically justify their belief systems. Their youth, increasingly rational and inquisitive, are less willing to accept doctrines that lack logical substantiation.