Kumbh Mela 2013 in Allahabad discussion thread

Steve,
You are still almost a year away from the extravaganza!

Could I suggest you to wait for at least two and a half months (till around 14th April) so that you could start seeing the facilities coming up!

It would become easier to choose from among the lot!

Thank you, Prakaant, for your reply. It is difficult to wait as we are arranging so many other details but your advice is very appreciated. I think Mars goes direct on April 14th in Western Astrology so it is a good time to act. Long distance travelling and tight work schedules means good planning goes a long way to allow us travel to India.
Cheers, Steve

Hey Steve,

Welcome to the discussion. If you look earlier in the thread, there's some info on another "camp" at the mela. Their prices are higher, but the facilities also appear slightly nicer (some tents have heaters, for instance).

I don't think it's every too early to start thinking about/planning a trip like this. Like us, you're coming from half-way around the world, and probably staying for at least 3 weeks. I think it's fine to start thinking about something like that at least a year in advance.

We're in the same boat as you; we don't feel dedicated enough (religiously speaking) to assume we'll find a place to stay with an ashram.

You aren't allowed to take photo's at the mela (without a press permit) & they tend to be very strict about it. KK

Is it really so? I have never heard anything about it. Melas in India (and Kumbh being the biggest among them) are known to be happy hunting ground for photographers.

Would appreciate if someone can shed light on the scope and/or prohibition on photography during Kumbh Mela.

What I witnessed in the last Kumbh Mela at Haridwar was that there was photography restriction at the Har ki Pauri ghat only...But no restriction at other ghats...

At Allahabad restriction may be only at the Sangam...

Does that mean, it is only restricted at the bathing ghat (where people are taking holy dip)? Can one shoot freely at the Mela Ground and take portrait of the devotees and Sadhus (certainly subject to their approval)?

I took hundreds of photos at kumbh mela in Haridwar, using a large medium format film camera. Didn't get stopped anywhere. They do issue press passes but you will need a J visa (journalist) to get one, some people i meet had blagged them without the J visa, the only value I saw to having one was crossing some police lines and there was one viewing platform at the main ghat, again i managed to talk my way through most police blocks without any trouble, look for the boss and pay him some compliments

Before the last mela there was loads of scare stories about people getting cameras broken by the naga babas and photography being banned. This may have happened to a couple of people, but if you are polite, friendly and respectful you will be fine. I had a excellent time at Haridwar and cant wait for Allahbad!

Thanks a lot for the update.

I agree completely with you. And best of wishes for the coming Kumbh.

Arrowman - sure would be great to meet up. Being on my own for 8 days with 5-10 million others feels just a little intimidating :-). The practicalities might be impossible though. Lets keep tuned it through this thread.
Steve, I shared the same doubts as you but I was re-assured to a degree by the Camp's responses to emails and parent company's apparent transparency and longevity. I just wanted to book something quickly and I wont have lost much money if it falls through. The prospect of arriving and having to find alternative accommodation is a little scary though. I am on my own and it would be different if I was part of a larger group.

I read that the photo permits enable closer shoots of the bathing area in order to protect dignity of female ( and male ) bathers. Apparently the army polices the safe running of the festival and enforces this rule stringently. Everywhere else though no permit is required. There are threads on this if you google.

The camp says it offers vegetarian food inclusive and in an email the operator said there would be somewhere to buy bottled water and bread etc. Perhaps just sales pitch.

The photographers carrying press permit get strategic points fro they could do the photography, otherwise I have never seen any restrictions on photography.

Regarding accommodation: At present whole administration is busy in Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh state. Hence, they are not concentrating on the arrangements for mela. Once the election is over, government is formed, they would start work there.

Steve, Sun's transit to the zodiac Mesha Raasi as per Indian astrological calculations on 14th April. The day is an auspicious day in Hindu calendar which is celebrated in almost all places in India by the Hindus by different names.

At last Haridwar Kumbh Mela photography was restricted only at Harki Pauri, but only on the main bathing dates when the procession of the sadhus ends there. The whole area around the ghats at Harki Pauri was closed to foreigners without press permit.
All other days I had no problems at all.

@geoffbillett, Prakaant and pzinken: Thank you all for the valuable information.

Haridwar Kumbh Mela and Prayag Kumbh Mela are two different melas (though with the same motto) at two different geographical areas with different topography hence, there should not be any comparison between one place with other.

Haridwar Kumbh Mela takes place on the bank of River Ganges whereas Prayag Kumbh Mela is in middle of river where there is confluence of two (mythologically three) rivers. The crowd control procedure would also be different at both these places.

So, let us not compare between what was happening at Haridwar and what would happen at Prayag!

Geoffbillet,

Sounds good. You are one of the very few people I've ever "talked" to who has heard of the Kumbh Mela. In my part of the world, it is almost unknown.