A video of an Italian woman, Lucrezia, has been gaining a lot of traction on social media and winning the hearts of people left, right and centre. You may ask why. Well, she is on her third visit to India, a country she has described as “magical”. And this time she is in India to attend Magh Mela 2026 in Prayagraj.
‘India is a very magical place’
In a conversation with IANS, she said that India holds a special place in her heart. “I travel with my father across the world. But India holds a special place in our heart forever as it is a very magical place, including the people, the food, the culture and the Hindu religion,” she told news agency IANS.
Lucrezia said she first visited India in 2024 and was so captivated by the experience that she returned the following year to attend the Maha Kumbh in 2025.
She added, “After Prayagraj, I plan to go to Varanasi, which is the oldest city in the world.”
The Italian traveller is on a 10-day trip to India. She also spoke about her spiritual journey, including her bond with a guru who has influenced her outlook on life.
“He is teaching me kindness and to let go of things that you don’t need anymore and accept who you are. He has everything because he has let go of everything. I love how he lives. He is our international baba. And he also calls when we are in Italy and shows us everything,” she added.
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: On Magh Mela, Italian tourist Lucrezia says, "…This is my third visit: first in 2024, then for the 2025 Maha Kumbh and now in 2026 for the Magh Mela. After Prayagraj, I plan to visit Varanasi…" pic.twitter.com/rVSdEQPz6s
— IANS (@ians_india) January 9, 2026
Magh Mela 2026
The 44-day-long Magh Mela began on January 3 at the Sangam in Prayagraj with the auspicious bath on Paush Purnima. The religious congregation will feature six key bathing days and will culminate with the final holy dip on the occasion of Mahashivratri on February 15.
A large number of devotees have already gathered at the Triveni Sangam to take the sacred plunge, with attendance expected to increase as the festival progresses. Officials said that more than 2.2 million pilgrims performed the ritual bath on the opening day alone.
This year’s major bathing occasions fall on Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 18), Basant Panchami (January 23), Maghi Purnima (February 1), and Mahashivratri (February 15), drawing devotees from across the country.