Showing posts with label Sacred Rivers of India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sacred Rivers of India. Show all posts

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Tourism Ladakh : Hemis National Park

The stunningly beautiful Hemis National Park is located in the Eastern part of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir. It is the only national park in India north of the Himalayas and lies at an altitude of up to 6,930m above sea level, covering an area of 600 sq kms.
Hemis-national-park-Ladakh
Hemis-national-park-Ladakh

History

The park was founded in 1981 and is currently the largest national park in South Asia. Hemis was a destination and stopping point on the silk routes of Tibet and the park includes the famous 400-year old Hemis Gompa Monastery, for which it was named, within it’s boundaries.
Hemis_Gompa_India
Hemis_Gompa_India

Flora and Fauna

The park has been dubbed the “Snow Leopard Capital of India” and wide variety of flora and fauna can be seen here. The park is receives little rain fall and contains many dry forests, alpine grasslands and scrub lands. Wildlife lovers are drawn to this remote location are the park’s many endangered animals. Some of its inhabitants include the snow leopard, ibex, serow, Tibetan antelope and red fox. There have been 16 mammal species and 73 bird species recorded in the park so far.
Yak-hemis-national-park-wildlife
Yak-hemis-national-park-wildlife

Natural Beauty

Views overlooking the Indus River and the surrounding area make Hemis National Park photographer’s delight. The park offers a number of routes for trekking from mid-June to mid-October.
Indus-River
Indus-River

When to Visit

Visitors should plan their trip from May to October. During winters the temperature goes well below zero and heavy snowfall is seen.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Famous Holy Yatra to sacred pilgrimage in India


Yatra generally means pilgrimage to holy places such as sacred pilgrimage sites,confluences of sacred rivers and temples. Most of the holy yatra stated during the Hindu scared month of Shravan or Sawan and run through the whole season of monsoon. India is the birth place of four of the world’s major religious traditions namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, Also have followers of Muslims, Christians, Parsis and Jews. Every religions in India has it’s own way to worship their respective god’s, two of most sacred yatra are Char Dham Yatra by Hindu and Hajj Yatra by Muslim. During the monsoon India host some of the big fairs and popular festivals such as Teej, Raksha Bandhan,Nag Panchami, snake boat race and Aadi Perukku. The mammoth procession of Rath Yatra at Puri is the biggest in Oddissa.

Mansarovar Yatra: 

Mansarovar is a beautiful and highest fresh-water lake in the world situated in Tibet. Mount Kailash, a place of pilgrimage attracting religious people from India and neighboring countries. The Mount Kailash is considered a sacred place in four religions Hinduism Buddhism, Jainism and Bon. According to Hindu mythology mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva and circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual. Another lake called Lake Rakshastal lying close to the west of Lake Manasarovar and The Great Mount Kailash. These lake are the source of the Brahmaputra River and the Karnali River a tributary of the Holy river Ganges.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Amarnath Yatra: 

The Amarnth temple located in Jammu and Kashmir is dedicated to one of the holy trinity God “Lord Shiva“. The temple is situated on Amarnath mountain and Amarnath caves are most famous shrines in Hinduism. Every year inside the main Amarnath cave an Ice Shiva Lingam forms, along with two other ice formations representing Shri Ganesh and Maa Parvati. Amarnath yatra is held every year to pay homage to Lord Shiva and Maa parvati. The temple is a very popular yatra destination for Hindus, about 4 lakh people visit during the season.
Amarnath Yatra
Amarnath Yatra

Pandharpur Yatra: 

The Palkhi Festival Of Maharashtra is one of the most popular festivals in India. The annual Pandharpur Yatra to the famous vithoba temple at Pandarpur held every year during the month of June and July. Thousands of pilgrims come to Pandharpur with carry Palkhis with the images of the saints of Maharashtra Sant Dyaneshwar from Alandi, Sant Tukaram’s from Dehu, Eknath’s from Paithan, and Nivruttinath’s from Trimbakeshwar. These pilgrims are referred to as Warkaris, they worship Vithoba an incarnation of Vishnu.
Pandharpur Palki Yatra
Pandharpur Palki Yatra

Ratha Yatra: 

The Festival of Chariots of Lord Jagannatha, held every year at Puri in the tribal state of Orissa. The 10 day’s ratha yatra is commemorates Lord Jagannath’s, annual visit to Gundicha mata’s temple a short distance away. Thousands of pilgrims come to puri during the festival with an desire to help pull Lords chariot with ropes. This is the only day when devotees who are not allowed in the temple premises such as non-Hindus and foreigners, can get their glimpse of the deities.
Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra
Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra

Deoghar Yatra: 

Om Namah Shivai ! Deoghar means abode of the Gods and Goddesses, It is also known as Baidyanath Dham or Baba Dham situated on the eastern side of Jharkhand. It is an important Hindu pilgrimage center having Baidyanath Temple one of the twelve Lord Shiva Jyothirlingams in India. The pilgrims carry the holy water of holy river Ganges from Sultanganj’s and offered to the Jyotirlingam of Lord Shiva at Deoghar. These pilgrims called Kanwariya, reciting Bol Bam on the way of walk 109 KM, The march of Kanwariya start during the holy month of Shravan the wet season each year in India. Shravani Mela is the most celebrated 30-day festival in Deoghar Baidyanath Temple of Jharkhand.
Babadham Yatra
Babadham Yatra

Char Dham Yatra: 

The Char Dham belongs to four pilgrimage places in India, They are Badrinath, Dwarka, Jagannath Puri, and Rameshwaram. The Char Dham are often considered the most revered sites for Hindus that have to be visited in one’s lifetime. There is a Chota Char Dham as well inculdes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath situated in Garhwal Himalayas.
Chardham Yatra
Chardham Yatra

  • Badrinath is located in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand, in Garhwal hills on the banks of the Alaknanda River.
  • Dwarka is located in West in state of Gujarat,close to where the Gomti River merges into the Gulf of Kutch.
  • Puri located in East, state of Orissa, the oldest city of eastern part situated on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
  • Rameswaram located in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, situated in the Gulf of Mannar.


Sikkim has created four Dhams of the Hindus Jagannath, Dwarika, Rameshawaram, Badrinath under one roof at  Namchi along with replicas of 12 Jyotirlingas and a incredibly tallest 108-feet statue of Kirateshwar, the hunter form of Lord Shiva.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Things to do in Bhimtal (Uttarakhand)


Mainly known as a destination for day tours Bhimtal is a quiet and comparatively lesser known hillstation in the district of Nainital. We explore six things to do in Bhimtal, a destination rich in warmth, peace and experiences.

1. In and around Bhimtal

Bhimtal is most famous for the Bhimtal Lake, which is the largest lake in the district of Nainital. The placid wonders of this lake are best discovered by boat but a walk around the lake’s perimeter is also a nice and quiet way to explore the region. The cool breeze and an almost perennially pleasant weather ensure that people can start as well as end their day with lovely long walks. People can be seen strolling along the lake at the crack of dawn and then heading out for a well-deserved breakfast. On the lake’s island one can find an enchanting aquarium, which recently replaced Bhimtal’s famous but overcrowded restaurant. At the aquarium you can see many species of fish from all over the world.
bhimtal
bhimtal

2. Historic visit

The privately owned museum in Bhimtal is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the region. Ancient artifacts, tools made of stone and objects of great historical value are on display at the musuem. You can also learn about traditional rites and rituals as well as see samples of the region’s rock art. Another great way of learning about the region is by interacting with homestay owners. As many locals have opened their homes to tourists, they have also provided outsiders the opportunity to experience the region in its most authentic and endearing form. Interacting with such hosts provides people with valuable insight into the local life and history. People here are filled with enchanting stories, which cannot be found in any institution of museum.

3. Trip to Nainital

Nainital is a popular hillstation located in Kumaon, which is famous for its innumerable activities and natural beauty. It is serene yet lively at the same time and has many activities for the whole family. Day tours from Bhimtal to Nainital are easily available and strongly recommended.
Trip_to_Nainital
Trip_to_Nainital

4. Trip to Naukuchia Tal

Located at a height of over 1,200 meters is the beautiful and languid Lake Naukuchia tal. The lake is just 4 kilometers from Bhimtal and cabs can be hired on the spot for a day or half-day tour. Naukuchiatal is a haven for bird watchers as it attracts countless migratory birds from across the world.  Other activities like boating and trekking are also poular things to do.

5. The land of seven lakes

Saat Taal (Seven Lakes), which quite poetically is located just 7 kilometers from Bhimtal is another quiet place to enjoy a day tour. Saat Taal was named after its seven lakes. Two out of the seven original lakes have dried up but the remaining five are vey popular with tourists. The lakes are rich with fish and are frequented by fishing enthusiasts.
The-land-of-seven-lakes
The-land-of-seven-lakes

6. Hills with the White Carpet

A short trip from Mallital will lead you the picturesque Snow View Point. The viewpoint is perched at 2270 meters above sea level and the journey can be undertaken by ropeway or on horseback. Both experiences have their own charm and once at the view point, visitors are greeted with panoramic vistas of majestic snow-clad mountains.

Let us know what would be top of your things to do in Bhimtal list.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

7 most Sacred Rivers of India

The rivers of India are the main source of living of the Indian people. There are some major Rivers in India like, Ganga,Yamuna, Narmada, Mahanadi and Brahmaputra. Punjab-The land of five great river’s Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. Every river of Punjab has its own significance and symbolic importance. The Himalayan rivers are best for white water sports like rafting and other river sports. The seven rivers are counted as the holy rivers of India, one of the most holiest river in India is Ganga or The Gange. Rivers are India’s lifeline and enjoy a special place in prayers and its traditional practices. Most of the holy places in India like, Varanasi, Haridwar, Talakaveri, Nasik, Ujjain and Patna are situated along with the bank of seven holy rivers. The Triveni Sangam in Allahabad is a confluence of 3 rivers the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythological Saraswati river. A place of religious importance and the site for historic Kumbh Mela held every 12 years and Sadhu the holy men of India are gather here for holy bath from all over India. It is said that by taking a bath in the holy rivers, man can be freed from all the sins of his life. Apart form the rivers we Hindu also worship trees,stones and animals,we believed they are the forms of different deities.

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Ganga River: 

The Ganges, originates in the Himalayas at Gaumukh flowing into the bay of Bay of Bengal is the most sacred river of India and the longest river in India. The river has been declared as India’s “National River” and the Gange dolphins are also declared as the national aquatic animal of India. There are so many tributary to the Ganga like Yamuna, Chambal, Betwa and one of the major is  the Ghaghara, which meets it before Patna. Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, it has has hundreds of temples so called “City of Temples” is situated along the banks of the Ganges. There are two major dams in gange river one is The Haridwar dam and another is Farakka. One of the longest road bridge in India named as Mahatma Gandhi Setu is build on river Gange at Patna. The mouth of River Ganga forms a vast delta, the Sundarban delta the largest delta in the world, Also these river’s create some of the beautiful valley’s in India.
Ganga Maiya River - Varanasi ka ghat
Ganga Maiya River - Varanasi ka ghat

Yamuna River:  

Yamuna River is a major river and most polluted river of the Indian subcontinent rising form Yamunotri in the Himalaya Mountains and merges with the Ganges at Triveni Sangam, Allahabad, the site for the Kumbha Mela. This is one of the country’s most sacred rivers, Gokul and Mathura on the other bank of the river are holy places for hindu. The Tons, Chambal and Giri rivers are the important tributaries of Yamuna,River Mandakini is the last tributaries of river Yamuna before it joins The Gange in Allahabad. The famous Taj Mahal is situated on the bank of the holy Hindu river Yamuna in Agra. One of the famous Naini Bridge builds across the Yamuna river.
Yamuna Nadi ka Ghat
Yamuna Nadi ka Ghat

Sarasvati River: 

Saraswati is an ancient river that flowed in northern India during the vedic era. Although the river does not have a physical existence today, the ancient river lost in the desert. The Triveni Sangam in Allahabad is a confluence of 3 rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati,of these three The legendary Saraswati River is invisible and is said to flow underground and join the other two rivers from below and the point of confluence is a sacred place for Hindus.
Saraswati, Nadi
Saraswati, Nadi

Narmada River:  

The Narmada is one of the most sacred of the seven holy rivers of India. Narmada River originates from the Maikala ranges at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh and flows between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges in a generally southwestern direction and emptying into the Gulf of Khambhat or  Gulf of Cambay, an inlet of the Arabian Sea India. The Narmada valley has many waterfalls, Dhuandhar waterfall and deepest waterfall Kapiladhara are best of them. Sardar sarover dam one of the India’s most controversial dam projects was builds across the Narmada river. Narmada Bridge is the Longest Road Bridge in Gujarat. Narmada River is one of only three major rivers in peninsular India that runs from east to west along with the Tapti River and Mahi River. The Hindu God Lord Shiva Omkareshwar temple on the banks of Narmada river situated in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh also this district host India’s largest water reservoir known as IndiraSagar .
Narmada River - Ghat
Narmada River - Ghat

Kshipra or Shipra River: 

The Shipra, also known as the Kshipra rises in the Vindhya Range north of Dhar and flows south across the Malwa Plateau to join the Chambal River. It is one of the sacred rivers in Hinduism. The holy city Ujjain is situated on its right bank. Ujjain is an ancient city of Malwa region in central India and famous for one of the twelve celebrated Jyotirlingas in India known as Mahakaleshwar. In every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela festival takes place on the city and millions of people take holy dip and bath in the holy river Shipra.
Shipra, Kshipra - Nadi - Ujjain - opposite Mahakaal Temple "OM Namah Shivay
Shipra, Kshipra - Nadi - Ujjain - opposite Mahakaal Temple "OM Namah Shivay!!!"

Godavari River: 

The river Godavari originates near Trimbak in Nashik flows towards the Eastern Ghats into the Bay of Bengal. This second largest river is considered to be one of the big river basins in India. Kumbh Mela at Nashik is well known as an important center of Pilgrimage in India because the holy river Godavari. Godavari, the largest and the longest river of South India is popularly referred as to as the Dakshina Ganga. Jayakwadi dam is one of the largest earthen dams in India build across Godavari River in Maharashtra.
Godavari Nadi, Nashik - Maharashtra
Godavari Nadi, Nashik - Maharashtra

Kaveri River: 

Kaveri or Cauvery River is considered to be a very sacred river of southern India. It originates from the Brahmagiri Hill in the Western Ghats flow towards the Bay of Bengal. This sacred river travels across the heartland of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is one of the major rivers of the Peninsular flowing east and running into the Bay of Bengal. The Mettur Dam is a large dam build across the Kaveri River. The beautiful shivasamudram falls of Kaveri river is the second biggest water falls in India.
Kaveri Nadi - Hari Om
Kaveri Nadi - Hari Om!!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Kumbha Mela - Most massive act of faith



They came by the millions! Some arrived on overcrowded trains carrying five times their normal capacity. Some came by bus, by car, some by ox drawn carts, and others rode on horses, camels, and even elephants. The rich and famous chartered private planes and helicopters, while the less affluent came on foot carrying their bed rolls and camping equipment in heavy bundles on their heads. Wave after wave, they formed a veritable river of humanity that flowed onto the banks of the Ganges at Allahabad to celebrate the greatest spiritual festival ever held in the history of the world, the Kumbha Mela.

Devotees @ Ganges arriving for sacred dive
Kumbha Mela has gained international fame as "the world's most massive act of faith." Pilgrims come to this holy event with such tremendous faith and in such overwhelming numbers that it boggles the mind. Faith is the most important thing for the pilgrims at Kumbha Mela, they have an "unflinching trust in something sublime".


To understand the significance of the Kumbha Mela and the important role that it plays in the spirituality of India, it is helpful to know something about the background of the sacred Ganges River. The devout believe that simply by bathing in the Ganges one is freed from their past sins (karma), and thus one becomes eligible for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Of course it is said that a pure lifestyle is also required after taking bath, otherwise one will again be burdened by karmic reactions .The pilgrims come from all walks of life, traveling long distances and tolerating many physical discomforts, such as sleeping in the open air in near freezing weather. They undergo these difficulties just to receive the benefit of taking a bath in the sacred river at Kumbha Mela.

Devotees @ Ganges for sacred dive
This spectacle of faith has for many centuries attracted the curiosity of foreign travelers. Hiuen Tsiang of China, who lived during the seventh century, was the first to mention Kumbha Mela in his diary. He gave an eyewitness report that during the Hindu month of Magha (January-February) half a million people had gathered on the banks of the Ganges at Allahabad to observe a celebration for 75 days. The pilgrims, writes Hiuen Tsiang, assembled along with their king, his ministers, scholars, philosophers, and sages. He also reports that the king had distributed enormous quantities of gold, silver, and jewels in charity for the purpose of acquiring good merit and thus assuring his place in heaven.

Devotees @ Ganges c
In the eight century, Shankara, a prominent Indian saint, popularized the Kumbha Mela among the common people, and soon the attendance began to grow to enormous proportions. Shankara placed special importance to the opportunity of associating with saintly persons while at Kumbha Mela. Both hearing from sadhus (holy men) and sacred bathing are still the two main focus at Kumbha Mela.


By 1977, the number of pilgrims attending Kumbha Mela had to risen to 15 million! By 1989, the attendance was in the range of 29 million-nearly double that of the previous record. Photographer David Osborn and I contributed to this year's record participation by spending seven austere weeks living in a tent on the banks of the Ganges, observing the Kumbha Mela with wonder and admiration.


The ancient origin of the Kumbha Mela is described in the time honored Vedic literatures of India as having evolved from bygone days of the universe when the demigods and the demons produced the nectar of immortality. The sages of old have related this story thus: once upon a time, the demigods and demons assembled together on the shore of the milk ocean which lies in a certain region of the cosmos. The demigods and demons desired to churn the ocean to produce the nectar of immortality, and agreed to share it afterwards. The Mandara Mountain was used as a churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the rope for churning. With the demigods at Vasuki's tail and the demons at his head, they churned the ocean for a 1,000 years. A pot of nectar was eventually produced, and both the demigods and demons became anxious. The demigods, being fearful of what would happen if the demons drank their share of the nectar of immortality, stole away the pot and hid it in four places on the Earth: Prayag (Allahabad) Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. At each of the hiding places a drop of immortal nectar spilled from the pot and landed on the earth. These four places are believed to have acquired mystical power, and festivals are regularly held at each, Allahabad being the largest and most important.

Dip-dive in Ganges for Holy Kumb
Besides the Ganges, there are also two other sacred rivers located at Allahabad, the Yamuna and the Saraswati . The Yamuna, like the Ganges has its earthly origin in the Himalayas. The Saraswati, however, is a mystical river which has no physical form. Its is believed that the Saraswati exists only on the ethereal or spiritual plane and is not visible to the human eye. This holy river is mentioned many times in India's sacred texts such as the Mahabharata and is said to be present at Allahabad where it joins the Yamuna and the Ganges.


This confluence of India's three most sacred rivers at Allahabad is called the sangam. The combined sanctity of the three holy rivers, coupled with the spiritual powers obtained from the pot of nectar of immortality, has earned Allahabad the rank of tirtharaja, the king of holy places.

Naga Baba
The main highlight for most pilgrims during a Kumbha Mela is the observance of a sacred bath at the sangam. It is said that a bath in either of the sacred rivers has purifying effects, but where the three rivers meet, the bather's purification is increased one hundred times. Furthermore, it is said that when one takes a bath at the sangam during the Kumbha Mela, the influence is one thousand times increased.


According to astrological calculations, the Kumbha Mela is held every twelve years and begins on Makar Sankranti, the day when the sun and moon enter Capricorn and Jupiter enters Aries. The astrological configuration on Makar Sankranti is called " Kumbha snana-yoga" and is considered to be especially auspicious, as it is said that the passage from Earth to the higher planets is open at that time, thus allowing the soul to easily attain the celestial world. For such reasons it is understandable why the Kumbha Mela has become so popular among all classes of transcendentalists in India

Devotees
During Makar Sankranti , Kumbha Mela began with all the pomp and glory for which it is famous. The temperature dropped to 35 degrees Fahrenheit on the evening of the 13th, but bathers were not to be discouraged. Just past midnight, thousands began to enter the confluence of the three rivers, immersing themselves in the icy cold water. Loud chanting of "Bolo Ganga Mai ki jai (all glory to Mother Ganga)" filled the clear night air as the pilgrims washed away their bad karma. They came away from the bathing area wrapped in blankets and shivering from the cold. But as quickly as they came out of the water, thousands more came in their wake. With continual chants of " Bolo Ganga Mai ki jai" they entered the waters.


At dawn the sky reddened and the sun rose to reveal a crowd of five million enthusiasts slowly advancing towards the sangam. From the center of that mass of humanity came a marvelous procession announcing the official beginning of the Kumbha Mela. Bands played, people danced in jubilation, and colorful flags and banners flew above the crowd.
Sunset at Ganges

At the head of the procession were the nagas, India's famed naked holy men. These holy men engage themselves in renunciation of the world in search of equilibrium. They hope to escape the world's concomitant reactions and suffering by their austere practices such as complete celibacy and non-accumulation of material possessions. Thus they are known as liberationists. With matted locks of hair, their bodies covered in ashes, and their tridents ( the symbol of a follower of Shiva) raised high, they descended upon the bathing area. Entering the water in a tumult, blowing conchshells and singing " Shiva ki jai, Ganga ki jai," they splashed the sacred waters upon each other and played just like children. Indeed, they are said to be the very children of the Ganges.


Next came the Vaisnava vairagis, the wandering mendicants who dedicate everything to Visnu, the Sustainer. These saints live a life of service and complete dedication.Then came the innumerable other sects of ascetics dressed in saffron colored cloth and carrying their staffs of renunciation. All the centuries gone by of India's spiritual evolution were simultaneously there together in the procession. Each in turn bathed in the sangam.

Snake Charmer at Ganges to entertain devotees
Several hours passed before the procession had finished. Then began the mass bathing of the pilgrims. From the high banks of the river one could see the dark blue water of the Yamuna mixing with the silver gray water of the Ganges. Bathers, immersed up to the waist, scooped up water with folded palms and offered it to heaven in a timeless gesture. Boatmen rowed their boats full of pilgrims to a small sandbar in the middle of the sangam which soon disappeared under a cloud of bathers.


There was none to young or old for this occasion. A young mother sprinkled a few drops of the rivers' water over the head of her newborn baby, asking God to bless her child with a good life and prosperity. In another place an elderly couple eased themselves into the cold water. Some bathers made offerings of flowers, sweets, and colored dyes to the sacred waters, while others offered Vedic hymns. The chanting of OM - the supreme combination of letters - and Sanskrit mantras issued from the lips of every pilgrim.

As night fell, thousands of campfires could be seen burning along the riverbanks. In the central festival area, gaily decorated pandals (large tents) accommodated the thousands who listened to some of India's most exalted gurus lecturing on spiritual and philosophical topics.

In some pandals there were Indian drama and classical dance groups whose exotic costumes and performances attracted large audiences. In other pandals there were elaborate displays and dioramas illustrating the stories from India's ancient epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. There was so much to see and do that there was never a dull moment.
Devotees
Some pilgrims prefer to come to the Kumbha Mela on the days of the big sacred baths like Makar Sankranti and then return home, while others prefer to set up camp and stay for the duration. This year at Kumbha Mela there was six scheduled days for important baths. Those who remained for the full 41 days of the festival and observe all the important baths are called kalpvasis.

Indian government spent more than 8 million dollars on preliminary organization for the Kumbha Mela. According to national newspaper reports, arrangements provided 5,000 gallons of purified drinking water every minute;8,000 buses which shuttle pilgrims in and out of the festival area that spread over 3,00- acres; 16,000 outlets and 6,000 poles which provided electrical facilities; 6,000 sweepers and sanitation employees who worked around the clock to maintain health standards; 9 pontoon bridges which spanned the Ganges at intervals; 20,000 policemen, firemen, and the Indian National Guard who kept a constant vigil at checkpoints and with closed circuit TV guarded against traffic congestion and other possible outbreaks or disturbances; and 100 doctors and nurses on call at all times at medical assistance stations.

An entire city sprang up along the banks of the river during the Kumbha Mela complete with markets, hospitals, and even a tourist camp to accommodate visitors from foreign countries. The tourist camp informed me that they had sheltered over 1,000 visitors from abroad during the festivities, most being from Europe and South America. Some of these visitors from abroad had never been to India before. Others seemed as well acquainted with what was happening as did the Indians. 

In the market areas all the required necessities and luxuries of Kumbha Mela were for sale. In one place fruits and fresh vegetables were available. In another place wool blankets, which sold briskly, were piled in big stacks for easy selection. Along the main thoroughfares gypsies spread their wares which included different shapes and sizes of brass pots and bowls, beads for meditation, exotic perfumes, incense like kastori(musk) and chandan (sandalwood), and even tiger's claws set in gold.
Mother Ganges

It was also interesting to note that all the food arrangements throughout the festival were vegetarian. There was not a trace f meant, fish or eggs to be found in any camp or in any public eating place. We learned that meat is strictly taboo amongst all types of transcendentalists in India.

For the novelty seekers there was also a wide selection of oddities in the market. For a rupee or two one could employ a snake charmer who, when playing on his pungi (snake charmer's flute) would make the cobras dance, swaying to and fro. It is a long standing belief that the cobra is charmed by the sound of the pungi. Having observed several of these performances , however, it was our conclusion that the snake charmer charms his audience rather than the snake.

Many palm readers and mystic soothsayers set up shop along the Ganges offering passers-by a look into the future. Astrology and palmistry are traditional sciences in India, but one could not help but think that some of these "mystics" were simply out to turn a fast rupee from a gullible public. No doubt that among the sincere and authentic spiritualists at Kumbha Mela there were also the cheaters and hence the cheated. Buyer beware.

The camel, a hardy beast of burden, used in India for centuries to transport cargo long distances and through difficult terrain, was the unsung hero of Kumbha Mela. Carrying heavy loads of firewood, tents, and foodstuffs on their raised backs these awkward creatures formed the very lifeline to the Kumbha Mela residents. In the soft sand, cars, trucks, and even horse carts often got stuck. But the camel was rugged and the goods always got through.

For everyone at Kumbha Mela, early mornings were the most austere time of day because it was always colder than at any other time. However, chilly sunrise is considered the most auspicious time of the day for spiritual practices.Every day at dawn , thousands arose early to bathe in the Ganges and return to their camps to change mantras and meditate.

At the northern end of the festival grounds, cast against the stil blue sky, stood a lone grass hut built upon sturdy stilts. This was the ashrama of Devara Baba who, according to his followers, is more than 200 years old. Devara Baba is a lifelong vegetarian and celibate yogi. His admirers believe that his exceptional longevity is due to the fact that he only drinks and bathes in the Ganges, whose waters are considered very sacred.When we asked Devara Baba about his exact age, he replied, " I have lost count of the years. It has been a very long time."

Devara Baba 
Every morning and evening tens of thousands of pilgrims walked the two mile stretch along the Ganges to the ashrama of Devara Baba with the hope that they might get a glimpse of this ancient sage. Much to their delight Devara Baba was always willing and even happy to accommodate them. Sitting on the veranda of his simple raised hut, the old sage relaxed in the warm rays of sunlight and blessed his visitors. Sometimes smiling or raising his hand in a gesture of grace Devara Baba radiated the aura of peacefulness. Some pilgrims brought offerings of fruits and flowers, while others came only with their prayers for blessings. It was our prayer to the sage that he allow us to take a few photographs, and in his usual gracious manner he consented.

As prominent as Devara Baba was, we sensed that there were many great souls who went undetected in our midst. We photographed until we ran out of film and were left only with a feeling of helplessness. Kumbha Mela was indeed a magnificent and awesome encounter.It was impossible to capture the festival. Indeed, it was the festival that captured us. Words, film, print, and paper can not do justice to the event — it is one that has to be experienced personally.