Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study explores the psychological and physiological dimensions of religious pilgrimage participation among attendees of Mahakumbh 2025, focusing on individuals seeking care at a psychiatry outpatient department. METHODOLOGY: We examined the relationships between demographic factors (age, gender), frequency of pilgrimage participation, body mass index (BMI), cognitive functioning (as measured by MOCA), and depressive symptoms (HAM-D). RESULTS: The findings reveal a significant inverse relationship between pilgrimage frequency and depression scores, suggesting that regular participation in spiritual practices may offer emotional resilience. Gender differences emerged, with female participants showing higher levels of depressive symptoms. Cognitive performance was primarily influenced by age, with older participants displaying lower MOCA scores, independent of pilgrimage frequency. Additional insights indicate that individuals reporting a higher sense of spiritual upliftment and daily spiritual engagement also exhibited lower levels of anxiety and depression. While some participants showed elevated physiological stress markers, such as high blood pressure and altered heart rate variability (HRV), these were counterbalanced by psychological benefits. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to a growing body of evidence that spiritual engagement during mass religious gatherings may foster mental well-being, despite the physical demands such events impose. These findings underscore the need for integrated health services at large-scale religious events and highlight the complex interplay of spirituality, personality, and demographic variables in shaping mental health outcomes.