Kumbh Mela 2013
Hi All,Just wondering about people's experiences with Kumbh Mela, is it something you can go to as a 'tourist' to watch / possibly participate? Are there any good vantage points over the rivers etc.
Is there much happening on the non bathing days?
How is Allahabad during this time, would I need accomadation booked already or could I still find something there
Thanks
James
Sorry if there are threads on this, can't search
1
I recently went on 24 jan . Its the largest mass gathering of people in the world.. The atmosphere is amazing and if ur a photographer u would get a lot of opportunities are its very colorful and amazing and spectacular .The riding the boat in river ganges is totally a new experience . and I suppose u need to make prior arrangement as We met a fellow friend who was form france and couldn't get a room
4
Yes you can visit on non bathing dates. For Accommodation in kumbh mela you can send your request at this page. You will get good tent accommodation 800 meters from Sangam.I am visiting kumbh mela on 10th feb on this day 30 million devotees will take holy bath at Sangam
5
I would definitely suggest booking accommodation in advance. There are some nice hotels in the town centre (Hotel Yatrik,Harsh etc.) as well as a couple of home stays (Bungalow One, Kanchan Villa) where you can be safe as well as comfortable. But this would also mean that on the main bathing day on account of traffic restrictions you would have to walk 4 km one way to the mela. Accommodation in the mela area is either extremely cold and basic, or too expensive. Also, the mela tends to get very loud with preachers blaring away on loudspeakers, so staying in town will give you some peace and quiet in the evening.Enjoy your visit!
6
Hi James,I was in Kumbh Mela last 27jan, first of the official auspicious day.
Allahabad will be normal, people to take baths stay in the camps, so the city is ok. The only thing is that it will be a bit more expensive, but we didn´t have problems to find a room near the Train Station (full of hotels), but in the other side of the railways where the Royal hotel is (this one is in lonely planet and is kind of expensive these days).
You can also stay in any tent, if you have a thick sleeping bag, lot of nice people around.
Have a look to my video blog about the Kumbh if you want to get an idea of how is it and the camps.
http://depucelaalaindia.blogspot.in/p/videos.html
all the best
David
8
Does anybody know if it is still worth going to Kumbh around the 10th of March, I read this online:'The main dates when the sadhus bathe (known as the Royal Bath) are highlighted in bold, with February 10 being the biggest occasion. It's expected that all sects of sadhus will have arrived in the area by January 12, 2013 (in time for the Makar Sankranti bath on January 14). Most will have left the area by the last bathing date and the majority of people taking a dip will be locals. Hence, there isn't a lot to see towards the end of the festival."
Anybody know about when it winds down? Is the last bathing day this year the 10th of March or the earlier 25 Feb and 10 March is just the end?
I am still waiting for my visa but might be able to make the 25th
Thanks
http://goindia.about.com/od/Kumbhmela/qt/Allahabad-Maha-Kumbh-Mela-2013-Dates.htm
9
Hello jbailey,I have the same questions as yours but I'm still planning to be at the camp ground on March 7 and leave in the afternoon of March 10th, after the last bath. Eventhough the bath on March 10th is not the main one but I think there will be lots of people there and lots of activities to see.
I'm planning to book a tent with this company
http://goindia.about.com/gi/o.htmzi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=goindia&cdn=travel&tm=11&gps=80_99_1920_953&f=11&su=p284.13.342.ip_&tt=13&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.up-tourism.com/mahakumbh.htm.
It's expensive but it's the price that we have to pay if we want to stay close to all the actions.
Cheers,
Khanh
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