Trip to India: Kumbh Mela Festival and Varanasi

Discover the highlights of this trip to the Kumbh Mela

We will attend the Kumbh Mela Festival

Every twelve-year cycle, when according to Vedic astrology (jyotish) Jupiter enters the constellation of Aquarius (Kumbha), a mahā kumbhamela (or ‘great gathering of Aquarius’) takes place at Praiag, on the banks of the Ganges, attended by several million people, making it probably the largest pilgrimage in the world. Estimates put the attendance of 70 million people.

During this trip to the Kumbh Mela, we will visit the Sangam (confluence of Ganga Yamuna River) to witness the bath of monks. Hindus believe that immersing themselves completely in water at this time will cleanse them and their ancestors for 88 generations of all their sins. We will also witness ceremonial parades marking the official arrival of the holy men, mounted on a variety of means of transport: elephants, horses, camels, cars, palanquins and chariots, sometimes drawn by men in a show of devotion. Usually the Naga Baba sadhus (Shiva’s warriors) are the first to parade under a shower of petals, and each faith tries to outdo the others with the splendor of its procession.

We will discover the ancient city of Varanasi

During this trip to the Kumbh Mela, we will have the opportunity to tour the ancient city of Varanasi, inhabited for some 2,800 years, and one of the holiest places for Hindus. Devotees believe Varanasi is where they can break free from the cycle of rebirth and unite with the divine upon death. The conviction manifests in a profound intensity that pulses throughout this frenetic city.

The main action in Varanasi can be found at the Banaras ghats, a series of giant steps leading to the Ganges River. In the morning, the devout descend the stairs to wash away their sins in the holy water, and at night, they return for fire-fueled prayer ceremonies.

The energy continues throughout the day in the labyrinthine old city. Legend has it that no accurate map has ever been drawn of Varanasi’s complex web of twisting alleys. Expect to get lost and experience some of the best sightseeing of your life.

Ganges

The Mother Ganges: The Ganges River is one of the most revered natural sites in India. The river extends southeast from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal. Between 400 million and 600 million people rely on the Ganges River to provide water for daily bathing and drinking. Hindus come to Varanasi from all around the world to purify themselves in the holy Ganges and perform rituals along the dozens of ghats along the river. For us, the river provides a fixed point of orientation for navigating around the city, and we will spend lots of time sightseeing and watching daily life around the Ganges.

Ganga Aarti

During this trip to the Kumbh Mela, we will also visit the ghats to witness the Ganga Aarti. Through a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, we will witness people performing rituals and taking a bath on this iconic river, continuing with a vist to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

The lively atmosphere of the Dasaswamedh Ghat makes it one of the best places to visit in Varanasi. This attraction is a swirling hodgepodge of flower sellers touting bright blossoms, boat operators hawking rides along the Ganges River, and sadhus (holy men) decorated with face paint. During this trip to the Kumbh Mela we will stroll and people watch in this area.

Hindu priests put on the Ganga Aarti every night at the ghat, starting at around sunset. Donning saffron-hued robes, the priests spread out plates of flower petals and other offerings and blow a conch shell to signal the start of the spiritual ceremony. Thousands of people gather to watch the priests chant and wave tiered plates of sandalwood-scented incense in intricate patterns for about 45 minutes. It’s an extravagant sight and one of the top moments.

Manikarnika Ghat

Some Hindus believe that Manikarnika Ghat is one of the most auspicious places for the departed to reach moksha (the emancipation from the cycle of spiritual rebirth). The funeral pyre at this ghat burns 24/7, and dozens of cremations take place every day.
We may also be invited to see a cremation up close. It is a profound experience, not for the faint of heart. We should be respectful and avoid taking photos of the funerals, mourners, and the departed.

Sarnath

During this trip to the Kumbh Mela, we will also visit to Sarnath, near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers. The Deer Park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna.
Singhpur, a village approximately one kilometer away from the site, was the birthplace of Shreyansanath, the Eleventh Tirthankara of Jainism. A temple dedicated to him is an important pilgrimage site. When we return to Varanasi, we will visit Ashrams along the ghats.

© Photos taken during the trip to the Kumbh Mela by:
Marcin Białek, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Michael T Balonek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ninara from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Prashant Kharote, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Sujay25, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Travelwayoflife, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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