Kumbh Mela – A Lifetime Experience

Kumbh Mela

Yes, this is the Mela where brothers separate (Reference: Old Bollywood Films). World’s largest congregation of religious pilgrims, Kumbh Mela is a festival where souls come to get detached from the infinite cycle of life and death (Mukti) finally leading to eternal union with God. Pilgrims, Sadhus, and Aghoris (from the Himalayas) come to dip in the holy water of sacred confluence of brackish water of Ganga, deep blue hues of Yamuna and invisible yet mystical Saraswati at the divine Sangam to get rid of their sins. Prayagraj is land where Amrit (immortality drink) fell off form nectar of immortality by Indra’s son saving from demons and sacrificed his life: good wins over evil and place where spiritual energy amalgamates energy of millions of pilgrims to give birth to the magical place

Experiential Walks

Morning buzz of millions of voices of chanting verses from early Vedic scriptures making the environment pure, saints and seers preaching the masses and meditating by the river, pilgrims praying for the souls of their beloved makes you wake up. Taking a Walk in the early morning on the promenade of Sangam at Prayagraj is spiritual and inspirational. Amrit fell off from nectar makes Prayagraj divine and river crossing the land holy. During Kumbh, holy water of rivers at Prayag turns into Amrit and pilgrims follow bathing ritual at Sangam which gives their soul a deeper meaning of life, death, and immortal living.

Through the Lenses

Kumbh is paradise for photographers and explorers. Kumbh gives insight into the spiritual life of Sadhus, Nagas, Aghoris, and Akharas along with the pristine beauty of nature. Capture the grandeur of religion and ancient tradition in the land where the souls of a million people converge into one in the sacred land and waters of the Kumbh.

Yoga and Meditation

Prayagraj is the most sacred place in the world and birthplace of Yoga, spreading the message of healthy mind and body or pure soul through spirituality. Meditation is a perfect process to cleanse all negative thoughts from the mind and rejuvenate the positive energy in your body that would reflect in your life, positively. Join the early morning sessions conducted for an hour every day at the Sangam Nivas by a special Ayurveda Acharya, a yoga specialist taught under the guidance of Iyengar.

Interaction with Sadhus and Seers

Nagas (Sanyasis), Vairagi (Mundies), Udasi and Nirmala (Nanak Sahi) are major sects of the sages at the Kumbh organised into different Akharas. The Akharas assembled at the Kumbh Mela is regarded as the ‘world’s greatest theological symposium’. Pilgrims meet the knowledgeable Sadhus (Darshan) and Sanyasis and seek the guidance to fight and live through complexities and hurdles in life. Their beliefs, theories, tilaks, rituals and traditions add to flavours of the mystical melting pot that is the Kumbh Mela. Discussion on spirituality and tradition with Sadhus in Akharas gives you insight and value of life and death.

Boat Ride at Sangam

Boat ride in Sangam is an ideal way to watch the Kumbh Mela at the Land of Gods. Sangam is an opening into the dimension of the Gods and hence taking a holy bath into the Ganges which considered as Goddess cleanses the soul, ascending the soul closer to the divine. Boat ride before sunset and Ganga Aarti after the sun down the horizon are mesmerizing things to watch in Kumbh. Ganga Aarti is a sacred ritual in which Puja of deity Ganga is performed by lightning the lamps or diyas while chanting the mantras (holy words) starting from blowing the Shankha (conch shell) making the ambiance spiritual on Sangam.

Satvik Culinary

Satvik Food is the ancient diet based on food in Yogic philosophies and scriptures to promote positive thoughts, happiness and soulful satisfaction which offers the essential nutrients that improves the physical health and longevity of the mind while eliminating fatigue and negative energy. Ayurvedic principles state that Satvik food is the purest type of food for consumption and by no means involves killing or harming any animal. Satvik food generates positive energy in the body and gives refreshing mindset and behavior to all humans. What you can take back home from Kumbh and bring balance in life is how to make Satvik food. Satvik Culinary workshop is organized in Kumbh where anyone can learn the recipes.