Kumbh Mela 2013 in Allahabad discussion thread

Thank you Prakaant for replying.

Oh yes, I know I should need months and even years to learn even a small bit of Indian culture. I have been two times in India earlier. This time I only have two weeks time, so I am trying to get as much off from it as possible. I am still studying and have so little free time during the semester, it's sad.

I hope some day I would have enough money and time to spend like half a year there for example. Just exploring places, meeting people and trying to learn hindi language.

Hence, it would be great if you come with open mind, and just observe what is happening and how it is happening.

You would be having plenty of time latter to ponder why it is happening!

It would be a great learning, I believe!

Hi,
its very right, if you are going to be a part of crowed of millions,you must have plan you tour & accommodation in advance.Its world's largest gathering & no body can forecast the situation. Maha Kumbh in Allahabad is bit different because the Royal bathing site is around 8 KM from the main city,where the hotels are located.
So, cottages/tents in Mela ground are most suitable option to experience the Maha Kumbh.

I am also planning for the same & working out some solutions & have found some good options.

Past participants warn about laced foods and drinks. I have two Indian friends who insist on being very careful.

Here's a recent article discussing this sort of thing in Allahabad: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/13139361.cms

Be wise!

UP Tourism has announced its facilities at their official website.

No need to hurry. Expect more to come...

UP Government has also launched their website dedicated to Mela. It could be visited by clicking here.

At present, it is available only in Hindi.

Hope, it would be available in English also.

They have not yet started the arrangements for mela.

Post-note: I had sent a message on the E-mail ID provided by the site with a request to provide matters in English also.

But delivery to the recipient failed permanently. Reason: The email account that you tried to reach does not exist. It seems the E-mail ID is yet to start functioning.

The members keep asking different queries through PM.

As I feel, these queries should be responded in such manner that it benefits other interested persons also, so I thought to respond some of the queries here on the thread: Yes, I would be participating in the Mela, though as yet I have not decided whether I would stay there or not! Even if I decide to stay, I would be trying to engage tents being allotted by the Mela administration and never at tourist camp(s)! These tents would be within walking distance of the bathing ghat. Further, I won't be attending any bathing on auspicious days.

The area, in which Mela takes place, is state government owned land and nearer to the bathing ghat for which one would not require any vehicular arrangement. The government would be allotting these pieces of land to the interested religious organizations for erecting camping site. Maximum of the land would be used by the spiritual organizations. As these facilities are not to be used for commercial purpose, it should come cheaper.

Till this moment the plots have not been allotted to anybody. the main reason is: it would take hardly one month time to erect tents and camps. In my opinion the allotment should start after Raksha Bandhan festival.

So, it would be great if the intended visitors wait for some more time. Still, the Kumbh Mela is eight months away.

It could be advised that the travelers do the travel booking at present; accommodation could be booked later! Hurrying could be avoided to get better accommodation!

Hi Steve, I am from Allahabad, and will be happy to answer to your questions.

Accomodation: The Mela is organised on the bank of the river Ganges & is spread over a very large area. Getting space for your own personal camp is very difficult. Various private operators put up luxurious camps but the approach, location & quality of some can be questionable. It would, however be advisable to contact ISKCON or the Parmarth Ashram, Haridwar who put up reasonably priced camps for their members but do let out to non members also. Food is strictly vegetarian throughout the Mela & you will find food according to Western tastes at these places for most of their occupants are foreigners.

Thank you for these ideas. I will be in Rishikeesh on Feb. 25, 2013, is it the custom for there to be sacred bathing rituals in other parts of the Ganges? many thanks. Susan Sims Smith

The Ganges is holy only for those who believe, for others it is only another large Himalyan glacial river. Bathe if you want to, there is no custom.But let me warn you, Rishikesh & Allahabad are quite far apart, almost overnight by train & that too if you have advance reservation from Haridwar.

Though bathing in the Ganges is always considered auspicious and sacred, bathing at Rishikesh would not be considered as bathing during Kumbh.

The place of bathing is important here!

fest des kruges
fest des rausches
rauschkrug

you know swimming in ganga in spring in rishikesh is cold, the water is green blue , you dont imagine thats ganga , enjoy it

Hello All,

I will be traveling in India during the time of the Kumbh Mela and would very much like to attend. I will be participating in two meditation retreats in Bodhgaya and have two weeks in between.

I would like to be at the Mela from Jan 30th to Feb 13. I will be taking the train from and back to Gaya.

I have been doing a little research but have never been to India and don't know how to logistics of the Mela works.

Should i plan on finding accommodations well in advance. Can Reasonable , affordable accommodations be found on the internet ? Or should i wait till i am in India and figure it out from there , just assuming i will be able to make it work ? I would like a place that will be safe to store my things, and i would also like to spend most of my time engaging in Spiritual / Meditation practices. Is it advisable to stay at a camp of a certain tradition you would like to practice. Or can you stay in a more neutral camp and then just wander in to any practice that may be going on ? I am interested in maybe staying in some kind of Kriya Yoga Camp. I have sent an email but no response yet.

If there is anyone who plans to be there during the same time, i would love to connect and possibly make plans together. Always good to have a few others with you.

Hope to hear from some others with similar questions and that we figure it out together.

Be Well,

Danny

Miami Man I am just getting started reading this thread but thanks for your research! I attended the 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar and it seemed much more convenient in terms of location. It was easy for me to stay in a room in town and walk everywhere. I am interested in booking a room but need to figure out which options have the best locations. I am planning on staying for quite a while so would like a room in a guest house or hotel.
Feel free to PM me if you'd like to discuss anything off this site.