Ardha Kumbha Mela 2010

What is kumbha mela all about?

It's the 'Pot Fair', 'Grand Fair' or just 'the big du party!'

The Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years at Haridwar and Allahabad  while the Purna (complete) Kumbh always takes place at Allahabad every twelve years . Over 45 days beginning in January 2007, more than 70 million Hindu pilgrims took part in the Ardh Kumbh Mela at Allahabad, and on January 15, the most auspicious day of the festival of Makar Sankranti, more than 5 million participated.

Watch Kumba Mela video

When is the next Kumbha Mela?

January 14 to April 28. 2010

Where is it?

Hardiwar, Uttarakhand.

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How to get to the there?

Haridwar is connected by Train from Delhi. Shatabdi express takes six hours and leaves every morning. There are other trains but are slower.

How long should i go for?

1-2 days depending on your tolerance for crowds and claustrophobia.

When are the best times to go?

January 14        Makarsankranti
January 15        Maunai Aamawasya-Surya
January 20        Basant Panchami
January 30        Maaagh Purnima
February 12      Shr Maha ShivratriShahiu snan
March 15           Somawati
March 16           Navsamvatarambh snan
March24           Shree ramnavami snan
March 20           Chaitra purnima
April 14            Mesha Sankranti
April 28            Viaskh aadhimass purnima

What should I expect at the Kumbha Mela?

Sadhus are renunciates who live in caves, forests and temples all over India.

There are 4 or 5 million sadhus in India today often revered for their holiness, sometimes feared for their curses. It is also thought that the austere practices of the sadhus helps to cure the nations bad karmas. Thus seen as benefiting society, sadhus are supported by donations from many people.

Sadhus are not unified in their practices. Some live in the mountains alone for years at a time, eating only a few bananas. Others walk around with one hand in the air for decades. Still others partake in the religious consumption of charras (hand-made cannabis hashish) and contemplate the cosmic nature and presence of God in the smoke patterns.

There are naked Naga (Digambar, or "sky-clad") Sadhus which are non-shaven and have thick dreadlocks, and Jata, who carry swords. Aghora sadhus may keep company with ghosts, or live in cemeteries as part of their holy path. Indian culture tends to emphasize an infinite number of paths to God, such that sadhus, and the varieties that sadhus come in have their place

Who are the Naga Baba's?

 

 

Where will i stay?

The obvious stragegy for a tourist is to stay in Rishikesh not far away. From there you can do a day trip to Haridwar and the Kumbha Mela. Rishikesh is about 20 minutes to Haridwar

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Mussoorie at 2000m is another choice. If you want quiet and cool this is the place. Mussoorie is not so far by taxi to Haridwar 1-2 hours.

Dehradun is close to Haridwar but not a very interesting town.

Hardiwar it self. There will be a variety of accommodation including tents set up. Just show up you find somewhere to sleep. That what it is a Kumbha Mela!