NEW DELHI: India witnessed a unique fusion of Indian and Greek cultural heritage on January 26, as Penelope from Greece and Siddharth from India tied the knot during the Maha Kumbh 2025.
The couple chose to perform their marriage in the most authentic manner, with Swami Yatindranand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara, along with the bride’s mother and other relatives, conducting the “kanyadaan” ceremony for Penelope.
“We are very grateful just to get married to each other, she is really special…When we decided on it, we wanted to do it in the most authentic manner which would be simple yet divine, and for that, we chose Prayagraj, Maha Kumbh, this specific date (January 26).We know that at this point of time that this is probably the best place not just in the country or in the world but the universe where all forms of divinity, pilgrimages everything is present here. You meet such great souls. We meet Maharaj ji (Swami Yatindranand Giri) and get his blessings and this is such a pleasure for the heart and the soul,” said Siddharth.
Siddharth emphasized the importance of following ancient traditions, stating that “Sanatan Dharma” is an “ancient window to the world” and that marriage, being an important institution, had to be performed in a Vedic way. He added that people are forgetting that marriage is a holy institution that gives an understanding that man and woman are completers of each other, and both are incomplete without the other.
Penelope described her experience as “magical beyond words” and expressed her joy in embracing a new culture. She had never attended an Indian wedding before and was amazed by the divine energy she experienced during her own ceremony, which was performed according to Vedic scriptures.
“Actually he asked me where would you like to get married, Greece or India, and I am really glad that I said I want to do it in India. There are some things that have been changing over the years, like weddings are just another opportunity to party and get drunk and for us it was more divine. It was very nice to see a different perspective, a spiritual way,” she said.
Penelope shared her journey with “Sanatan Dharma,” stating that she was striving for a happy and meaningful life. She had been associated with Buddhism for many years but realized that everything comes from “Sanatan Dharma,” prompting her to go to the source instead of relying on someone else’s interpretation.
When asked if she would participate in the holy dip in the Sangam on January 29, Penelope enthusiastically replied, “Of course, I wouldn’t miss that, I already have had the opportunity, we have been here since the beginning and we are planning to stay for until everything is done, so I am looking for that opportunity and I am very glad that I am here, and my mother too.”
Swami Yatindranand Giri, who performed the “kanyadaan,” mentioned that the couple had been followers of “Sanatan Dharma” for a few years, with Siddharth teaching yoga in various places and spreading the message.
The Maha Kumbh, held after every 12 years, is expected to host over 45 crore visitors, marking a historic occasion for India. Pilgrims flock to the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the now-extinct Saraswati rivers, to take a holy dip believed to absolve sins and grant moksha (liberation).
Despite cold conditions, a large congregation of devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj to take a dip in the ongoing Mahakumbh. Authorities are focusing on preparations for the upcoming Mauni Amavasya on January 29, anticipating large crowds of devotees.
Visitors from around the world are often left in awe as they witness people from different languages, lifestyles, and traditions coming together at the Sangam for a holy dip, showcasing the unity and diversity of India’s spiritual heritage.
