Global Luminaries Celebrate a Transformative Journey of Faith and Culture

The highly anticipated launch of Yakub Mathew’s literary debut, Seeking the Infinite: Maha Kumbh 2025, transformed The Indo-American Arts Council’s Literary Festival into a vibrant forum for spiritual and cultural dialogue at the prestigious International House, New York City, on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

Drawing seekers, scholars, and skeptics from around the globe, the event offered a profound exploration of faith, transcendence, and the enduring spiritual energy that characterizes India’s legendary Maha Kumbh Mela.

The Book Launch: Celebrating Unity in Diversity

The unveiling of Seeking the Infinite was graced by the presence of Sadhguru, who released the book by accepting a copy of the book in front of an audience of over 600 people that packed Davis Hall at International House, New York. The launch was followed by an interesting and thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by the redoubtable branding consultant Suhel Seth.

The esteemed panel comprised of Harvard scholar Diana Eck, Rabbi Scott Matous, President and In-house Rabbi at All Faiths Seminary International and Executive Director at the MAKOR Center for Judaism in New York City, spiritual master Gurudev Sri Anish, and the Very Rev. Winnie Varghese, Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

The discussion was conducted in the spirit of honest inquiry and resonant interfaith dialogue.

The Book: A Living Chronicle of Spiritual Encounters

Seeking the Infinite is more than a conventional anthology; it is described as “a living chronicle of spiritual encounters where faith traditions meet in humility and the sacred becomes a shared language.”

Through a tapestry of essays, dialogues, and reflections, the book takes readers from the riverside rituals of the Maha Kumbh to intimate rooftop conversations, encouraging a shift in perspective—from viewing the festival as mere spectacle to seeing it as a “crucible of human yearning—for meaning, belonging, and transcendence.”

Praising its inclusive and pluralist spirit, Diana Eck observed about the book that: “You invite them to share their own… it’s multi-vocal with lots of different voices… it brings together your own sense of the importance of attenuating the differences between religions to a real interfaith vision.”

The anthology features insights from over fifty renowned personalities, weaving together diverse perspectives. Its foreword, contributed by Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Muzaffar Ali, and Anupam Kher, adds depth and cultural context.

Tharoor writes, “This coffee-table book is more than a collection of photographs; it is a window into the very essence—Mahima—of the Maha Kumbh. Here, each spread invites the reader to pause, to feel, and to remember that the search for the divine is both an inward journey and an outward celebration of our shared humanity.”

Panel Reflections: Spirituality in a Modern World

Under the guidance of Suhel Seth, the panel delved into the complex relationship between religion and spirituality. Seth’s provocative question— “If you were given a choice, would you want the person to be religious or spiritual? You can only choose one…”—sparked dynamic and thoughtful discussion.

Rabbi Scott Matous highlighted the interplay between action and faith: “When I give charity before I pray, when I give a helping hand, when I visit the sick, when I give honor to my parents, when I share love to a stranger. I’m connecting to God, because we are considered b’tzelem Elohim, the image of God.”

Gurudev Sri Anish championed the importance of inquiry and transformation: “Any system which kills the spirit of inquiry in asking questions… that doesn’t work. That’s when religion loses. If your version of religion or truth makes you transformational… your version of religion is working.”

Rev. Winnie Varghese offered a nuanced take on the dual nature of religion: “Religion is used as a tool of social control, absolutely, and generates violence from conflict… but I actually think it comes, obviously, from a very pure place. I’m trying to say something true about human experience.”

About the Author: Leadership Beyond Finance

Yakub Mathew, known globally for his financial leadership at institutions such as HSBC, Citi Private Banking, and Wells Fargo Advisors, brings to his writing a wealth of cross-cultural experience. With advanced degrees from St. Stephen’s College, Madras University, and the Asian Institute of Management, Mathew is lauded for his “trust-based, empowering leadership style and commitment to values-driven service.” His venture into literature is a reflection of his adaptability and dedication to purposeful, values-oriented leadership.

The Maha Kumbh Mela: A Gathering of Faiths

The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, concluded in February 2025 after 45 days of vibrant celebrations. According to government estimates, over 660 million devotees from myriad faiths converged at the Triveni Sangam to take a holy dip, underscoring the festival’s magnitude and spiritual significance.

Rooted in the ancient Rigveda and entwined with the mythic tale of Sagar Manthan—when drops of the nectar of immortality fell at Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain—the Kumbh Mela rotates among these four locations in cycles of 4, 6, and 12 years. The rare Maha Kumbh, believed to occur once every 144 years, was commemorated in Prayagraj, marking a historic moment for millions.

Reflecting on his personal pilgrimage, Mathew shared, “In January 2025, I fulfilled a lifelong dream by embarking on a pilgrimage to Prayagraj for the once-in-144-years Maha Kumbh, where the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati meet. Joined by my wife and seventeen dear friends from across the globe, the experience became a profound celebration of the completion of my 60th year and a spiritual journey that inspired deep reflection on life’s eternal questions.”

Spiritual Endorsement and Interfaith Harmony

The book has received the blessings of some of the world’s most venerated spiritual leaders, including The Dalai Lama, Sadhguru, Maharaj Avadheshanand Giri Ji, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, and Maharaj Radhanath Swami Ji. Their endorsements, along with the presence of global thought leaders at the launch, underscore the book’s interfaith ethos and its resonance across spiritual traditions.

Mathew’s vision for the work is transparent and heartfelt: “What began as a way to capture our memories soon evolved into this book, enriched by insights from over fifty renowned personalities across diverse fields.

The Maha Kumbh reminded us that beyond faith and culture lies a shared divine essence, and through this work, we hope to spark interfaith harmony and inspire seekers everywhere to look within and seek the Infinite.

Audience Engagement and Cultural Impact

The overwhelming turnout—over 600 attendees on a Sunday evening in New York City—highlighted the festival’s status as a global gathering for thought leaders, spiritual seekers, and lovers of culture. The book launch was celebrated not only as a literary achievement but also as a rare confluence of “wisdom, culture, and inspiration—an evening not to be missed by seekers, scholars, and skeptics alike.”

Conclusion: A Call to Reflection

Seeking the Infinite stands as a contemplative invitation to all—whether seeker, scholar, or skeptic—to reflect on faith, humility, and the universal human quest for the sacred. Through its essays, dialogues, and interfaith encounters, the book offers a meditative lens on India’s spiritual heartbeat and the global soul it awakens.

In the words of Yakub Mathew, “The Infinite is not a place to reach. But a truth to remember—that within you lies a horizon without end.”

Seeking the Infinite: Maha Kumbh 2025—Yakub Mathew’s Spiritual Chronicle Ignites the IAAC Literary Festival in New York