Maha kumbh mela enquiry

I’m from down south(Chennai). I’ve been reading about kumbh mela from my school days, it caught my attention when I started working. I have been wanting to attend the kumbh mela, this one being a maha kumbh, it looks like a perfect opportunity. Can people who have already done this pilgrimage share your experience, stories and other jugaad to make this trip complete? Once there - what should I visit first, is there any order to visit these holy sites, how to save on expenses? Is it safe for a man to travel alone? I’m planning a trip next year. All I know is I’m gonna take a train to UP. Pls reply in English, my hindi is very basic.