Triveni Sangam Emerges as Unique Microbial Laboratory, Says New Book

The Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj is not only a major spiritual destination but also a complex microbial ecosystem where bacteria and viruses interact, according to a new book by Padma Shri awardee and independent research scientist Ajai Kumar Sonkar.

In The River That Remembers: Microbial Intelligence of Nature, published by the National Book Trust, Sonkar explores the Ganga through microbiology, virology and cultural memory. He argues that every ritual immersion at the Sangam contributes to an ongoing exchange of microorganisms that influences the river’s microbial ecosystem.

The book highlights the role of bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, in responding to bacteria introduced into the river. According to Sonkar, pilgrims arriving from different parts of India carry distinct microbiota shaped by their local environments. During bathing, some of these microorganisms enter the river and interact with its existing microbial community.

Sonkar describes this interaction as a rapidly evolving viral-bacterial arms race, claiming that bacteriophages can adapt to newly introduced bacterial strains. He suggests that large gatherings such as the Kumbh Mela intensify these interactions because of the substantial influx of human-associated bacteria.

The 2025 Maha Kumbh, described as the world’s largest religious gathering, reportedly drew more than 66 crore devotees to the Triveni Sangam over 45 days, providing an unprecedented scale for such microbial interactions.

Sonkar further describes the Sangam as a “viral confluence”, where microbial DNA from across the country encounters the Ganga’s existing ecosystem. He claims the river responds through a diverse population of phages, creating a continuously evolving microbial system.

The book presents the Sangam as a meeting point of spiritual tradition and microbial evolution, offering a scientific perspective on one of India’s most culturally significant river confluences.