Kumbh Mela 2013 in Allahabad discussion thread

Agreed...
Getting permission to erect tents is troublesome...

Hi Sriramsurendran,

That's an interesting idea. The main problem I see is with getting lots of people to coordinate on such a big event. Additionally, I would rather go with an outfit that has experience from other melas.

We'll probably go with the "expensive tents" unless we find something else. If it was just me, I might be more likely to just go, and see what I find. But with my wife along, I think it's better to get something squared away before we arrive.

Good suggestion though.

It is a general tendency to reach in Kumbh in couples. And the accommodation need not be a problem! Apart from the private arrangements, the Mela administration also arranges accommodation during the mela period. The rates are controlled by the administration. It would come cheaper!

So there is no need to go only for expensive option!

Yes; but for a foreign tourist and first-time visitor to India at that, as in Arrowman's case, I imagine and am in fact quite sure the whole experience can and likely will be mind-blowing enough as it is. Then indeed with not just their own, but another's well-being to keep in mind.

So while I'm not advocating going for some expensive package (and I would wait till a few months closer to the date to see what all options may bubble up by then. There's really no need to get this arranged now, I don't think), I think having some arrangements such as accommodation taken care of in advance would be a very good idea, so that's one thing less to worry about or even have to deal with.

Remember the likes of us, goofy foreigners, will be like y'r proverbial lost babe in the woods here, folks. That's not saying don't go there, but having some basics taken care of will surely help. Maybe a hotel room in town (indeed pre-booked some time ahead, of course) could even be nice, to retreat to when you find it becomes it too much, and then indeed I'm sure even the city itself will be crowded enough as it is for the occasion. I imagine even just travel (or likely walking, or for good parts of the way) to and from the Mela grounds could be pretty involved though, but it might be something to consider. Maybe others can comment on how feasible getting between those grounds to & from town would be; I don't know Allahabad, nor the Kumbh Mela there (nor then have been to any Kumbh Mela yet, but have to another Mela of some importance, as well as just smaller fairs or melas, themselves hectic and overpowering enough, and again certainly to a first arrival, I imagine. That one large Mela and staying right in the midst of it was significantly "smaller," cough, and indeed on my first trip, and indeed mind-blowing enough, while I fondly look back on it, I got the hell out of there after a few days; and indeed just the getting away from there not all like one-two-three. I mean I guess here, we'll have been talking "just" tens or hundreds of thousands of people or so.)

To get an idea, there are interesting aerial pics online of the Allahabad mela grounds in previous years, before and during the festival. It's, er, impressive, shall we say. Just one great sea of tents and people, as you might imagine. And surely an event, there's no question about it. But from that experience then, I'd say coming in just a little prepared can't hurt. And we won't be as able to figure it out locally or even find our bearings or make much sense of it all as even Indians from far away in the country might, and indeed usually traveling with friends or family to fall back on, and who will equally be a little more able to find their bearings, just for being Indians. Then indeed just being a repeat visitor would already be very different than to a newcomer to the country, of course.

(Then btw, isn't next year's the really significant twelve-year Purna Kumbh Mela? So if anything, it will only be larger and attracting still more people than any of the other three-yearly ones. It doesn't get any bigger than that than the really significant 144-year Maha Kumbh Mela; the last of which was held in 2001 I believe, so visitors will have to wait for a while for the next one...)

Thank you for conveying it! Same message I was trying to convey... but want of words ruined my sentences!

The event is still eleven months away! and we would be finding many options coming up!

Agreed!
And I feel the tents of different Ashrams are not too bad...
It will give the sense of Kumbh Mela...

Hello everybody! This is my first post on this forum!

I just registered an account for this website because of my plans to visit next year's Kumbh Mela at Allahabad! I've visited India two times before and already looking into this third journey!

I'm particularly interested in a tent accomodation near the festival grounds. I am not interested in booking an expensive tour or anything like that - I'm travelling with a friend on a very low budget. A stay at an ashram tent with an opportunity to meet local people would be a fantastic experience. I would also be happy to meet forum members at the festival to share experiences and stories, and even to share some kind of a tent accomodation at the festival.

Can anyone help me with this kind of a plan?

Thank you all and greetings from the cold and snowy Finland!

It is too early to think of accommodation arranged by akharas. They start their planning after Raksha Bandhan which is falling this year on 2nd August 2012.

There would be other arrangements from the Mela Administration (Mela Prabandhan) side. We would try to update information as & when it arrives!

I am planning to reach Prayag in the evening of Saturday, 26th January to have first snana of Kumbh Mela in early morning of Sunday, 27-January-2013 on the occasion of Paush Purnima!

Hi Myllymaki,maybe see you there,you shouldn't be too difficult to spot?

So can someone comment?

(Prakaant btw, and some others,

you got me thinking now of joining you if you'd allow me... But no, it's just a dream, I don't think it will be feasible, in many ways. But, boy, girl, that would've been something, nah )

As the event is almost one year away; situation is very fluid, and I am positive, Mach, to see you among us taking dip at Sangam!

Though, the place would be heavily crowded, we may plan positively and gather there together on a particular day. The rush & melee would be there only during the important snana days. Other days would be comparatively less crowded. And a Kumbha Meetup could be planned!

One more thing, you would be finding all the hotel rooms also heavily booked as soon as booking starts for Kumbha period. I think still we should consider either a tent stay or could it be a home stay!?
Though the feeling would be awesome of walking down to Sangam, town proper is around 7 to 8 kms away from Sangam Mela kshetra!

I might be doing a recce in coming months, It seems!

I will surely like to have a visit to the Maha Kumbh this year. But considering the transition period I am in now, I am not sure where will I end up next January. Anyway, I am keeping my fingers crossed, and hoping to make it happen.

Heheh. It's some time yet, indeed. You've got me seriously juggling some options around now. Having a loving look at my trusty lungi. Hmmm.

It will be known to some here I was close to Haridwar in 2010. Had considered going there; didn't feel too great; it was blurdy cold; and so anyway I decided to skip it. Crowds not on my mind.

But who knows, indeed. I can't currently say it would be very likely.

Hmmm, yes. I don't mean to be my negative old self; and going over this site's history, the Kumbh Mela has been picking up ever more over the years among members, national and international; but you know how hard it tends to be to even get a city meeting arranged. Lots of yes-I-will-come but can we change all the details and the planet please, then of course never showing up anyway.

I'd personally just not put any effort into getting anything board-wide arranged there. But, let anyone be their guest to it, of course. (That same 2010 event btw, of course at an IndiaMike meeting a member tells me we'll drive off to there the next morning. Then calls me -- and at least does call me -- to let me know something else came up. Nor was I ever even sour about that, that's just very much India for ya, I had expected no less.)

Indeed. Could be relatively manageable then. (How long does the whole thing last? A few months or so, no?)

Yes, of course, would require timely booking.

I'm a little concerned, always, about members thinking they can just hook up with some ashram tent or a bunch of sadhus there. Unless they know what they're into, I really wonder. These people asking are not Indians, mind. Ever been in a heaving sea of people none of whom speak your language? I have, see my post #34 above.* (One great difference I imagine might be that the Kumbh Mela would probably have some more -- domestic and international -- tourist infrastructure in place, than that large but at the time at least touristically unknown mela I was at.)

* I gave another description of that particular event to me recently, here, so post #23 there: Kenduli Mela in January ? They were arguably different times and circumstances; still, it might serve to get some idea, at least then of what it was like to me, as indeed just another goofy and perhaps somewhat starry-eyed young foreigner.

Yes, I'd figured something like that. But so could one get between the two, on foot or motorized? (I know in Haridwar it was said all motorized transport was stopped a few kilometers before. Though I think trains into town were still running. If, of course, you could get a hold of one.) --> And I also know 7-8 kms. is walkable in say two hours. I also know and from experience then it's just a little different when there's tens or hundreds of thousands doing the same. I mean you can hardly move under the circumstances. Really. Not.

(Regarding the snan or holy dip btw, let people kindly be aware people get trampled to death in the rush, on each of these occasions. It is again not to say don't be there, but look after yourselves a little, and know your limits so don't go in the middle of where you can't manage.)

Who knows, indeed. It would be something. Anyways, all those going there, or planning to: You have my blessings, and enjoy just the anticipation!

<cross-posted with ashvin30> So, it seems to be happening! Keeping my fingers crossed!!
Yes, I have seen happening so... It is hard to find time in today's life.

But not with me so... whenever you chance to pass through my place, I would love to play host to you! And, you would not regret my company, I assure! It would be starting on Sunday, 27th January and would continue till Monday, 25 February 2013. And there would be only seven main snana dates.
Not all but many ashrams welcome foreign tourist in their camp! so that it could be counted as one upmanship! Many of them could be getting them accommodated there!
Motorized vehicles would remain banned ad the people would be walking towards Sangam. In such a big crowd the distance does not get counted! Movement would not be problem as the crowd makes you flow!

(Regarding the snan or holy dip btw, let people kindly be aware people get trampled to death in the rush, on each of these occasions. It is again not to say don't be there, but look after yourselves a little, and know your limits so don't go in the middle of where you can't manage.)[/QUOTE] Yes, that's true. One has to be careful but it does not happen regularly.

So... it's a positive note, you have started thinking positively... It is a positive sign!!

Thank you for the wish, Mach. And as your posts indicate, any chance of meeting up with you there (and anywhere as a matter of fact) will be icing on the cake for me.

Yes, I am just enjoying the anticipation for the time being. Let's see how things develop in due course of time.

And regarding accommodation, I am not very concerned about it. Specially as I am game for any grade. If 13 million people can be accommodated, I will certainly find one for me.

The big, final and only question is nothing but myself. If I am still at Kolkata, it's almost sure I am attending it.