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Special Features
Practical Guide & Trip Planning |
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The chief reason for people coming to the Kumbha Mela is for darshan of the saints and mahatmas, satsangh, and the ritual bath in the sacred river particularly on special auspicious days. First-timers can find themselves caught in the sheer logistics of making stay arrangements, finding their way around and reaching the camping areas where the heart of the Kumbha is - amidst the camps of the sadhus. Without exception, one of the toughest things to do, during a Kumbha is to get from one place to another. The confusion, chaos and strange orderliness and discipine at a Kumbha defies description. It is strongly advised not to plan travel on snan dates, unless you are intent on walking miles through a virtual sea of humanity, luggage in tow. On bathing dates, vehicular traffic is restricted and can be completely prohibited, depending on circumstances. |
More on Kumbha • Mahakumbh Haridwar • Legends of Kumbh • Photo Gallery • Sadhus at Kumbh • Bathing Dates, Haridwar Impressions • Ujjain • Haridwar Kumbha Cities • Haridwar • Allahabad • Ujjain • Nasik |
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The truth is that most people who visit the Kumbha are completely gripped in a trance state, deeply aware, at whatever level of recognition, of the spiritual significance of the Festival. The sincere seeker comes with devotion and for him, his presence here is itself the fruit of his devotion - he is blessed indeed. Others are psyched by the sheer enormity of the event, the teeming crowds, the many ages and times and the sheer variety of humanity that are represented here. Some come for a glimpse of exotica. Without exception, most are unprepared for the Kumbha. They have no idea where to go, or how to go about it. Staying arrangements and all facilities are stretched to the limits, as is the civil administration that copes with the situation, plans for months ahead and sighs with relief at the end of each Kumbha.
The media have their separate region demarcated with a vantage birds' eye view of the Kumbha. Of late, the Kumbha has become a money-spinner so there are many hotels and travel agents that have made fancy staying arrangements at deluxe camps. It is a different matter that things can go awry sometimes, as it did for a well-known international travel company at the Allahabad Mahakumbha in 2001 when the sadhus protested against the 5-star arrangements there, reportedly because there was a rumour that they were serving alocohol and non-vegetarian food, strictly prohibited in the vicinity. There were others too who had to close operations bebecause they were not maintaining the sanctity of the Festival. The sadhus are present in strength at the Kumbhas, and no-one wants to tangle with the akhadas, who have their 'warriors' as their first line of defence. There are many hotels in and around town, there are several temple trusts and ashrams which also have staying facilities, but they are not adequate to meet the demands of visitors to the Kumbha. Moreover, at the best of times during the Kumbha, and particularly during the snan dates, transportation to and fro to the Mela area becomes a virtual nightmare. The civil administartion make arrangements for travel agents to pitch tents and provide accommodation, but the area allocated to them is distinct and distant from the area where the sadhus camps are. Anyone seriously interested in attending the Kumbh/Ardhkumbh Festival is requested to fill the following form with details. We will get back in touch with you.
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Editor: Romola Butalia (c) India Travelogue. All rights reserved. |
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