Yakub Mathew, a global financial leader and transformational thinker, will unveil his debut book Seeking the Infinite: Maha Kumbh 2025 during the Indo-American Arts Council Literary Festival (IAAC) on November 16, 2025, at The International House in New York City.

The event will feature a distinguished panel of spiritual and cultural leaders, including Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Diana Eck, Rabbi Scott Matous, The Very Reverend Winnie Varghese, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, and Guruji Sri Anish. The discussion will be moderated by Suhel Seth.

Seeking the Infinite: Maha Kumbh 2025 is a contemplative anthology of essays, dialogues, and reflections inspired by the sacred Maha Kumbh gathering. The book serves as a living chronicle of spiritual encounters where diverse faiths converge and the sacred becomes a shared language. From riverside rituals to intimate conversations, Mathew captures the Kumbh as a crucible of human yearning—for meaning, belonging, and transcendence, according to a statement from the promoters. 

“The Infinite is not a place to reach,” says Mathew. “But a truth to remember – that within you lies a horizon without end.”

Reflecting on his inspiration for the book, Mathew recalls, “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 his wife and seventeen friends from around the world, the journey became a profound celebration of his 60th year and a spiritual exploration of life’s eternal questions. 

“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,” he added.

Through stories of interfaith connection and quiet devotion, the book invites readers to ask: What does it mean to belong to the sacred in a fractured world? Whether seeker, scholar, or skeptic, readers will find in these pages a contemplative lens on India’s spiritual heartbeat and the global soul it awakens.

The book carries blessings from some of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders, including The Dalai Lama, Sadhguru, Maharaj Avadheshanand Giri Ji, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, and Maharaj Radhanath Swami Ji. The foreword—written by Shashi Tharoor, Muzaffar Ali, and Anupam Kher—adds depth and cultural context to this multi-faith literary work.

Tharoor, a member of India’s Parliament and Sahitya Akademi Award winner, 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 one finds the glowing fervor of a million lamps floating at dusk, the thunderous crescendo of horns announcing dawn’s first dip, and the profound stillness of a single pilgrim in silent communion… the search for the divine is both an inward journey and an outward celebration of our shared humanity.”

Seeking the Infinite marks a new chapter in Mathew’s journey—an exploration of faith, humility, and the shared human quest for the divine. “Happiness is best when it is shared, contentment is complete if it is passed on, and gratitude is best when it is expressed,” Mathew says. “So, this is my moment to thank all those who have believed in me over the years.”

Event Details

• Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
• Time: 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM EST
• Venue: International House, 500 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027
• Admission: Free (advance registration required)
• Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-yakub-mathew-on-seeking-the-infinite-maha-kumbh-2025-tickets-1718944181319
• Registration: Eventbrite – Book Talk: Yakub Mathew
• Seating is limited, and early registration is encouraged.

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