Day 3
Kumbh Mela Allahabad
It’s Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Whole of India shudders and comes alive, villages move, monasteries get empty,
naked hermits smeared with ashes descend from Himalayan caves and devotees & ascetics from all parts of India
converge on the banks of the Ganga in Allahabad. Processions of monks, bands of tramps, suites of rajas,
coaches crowded with women folks, trains full of town people and prodigious crowd thirsting for holiness are
common sight during Kumbh Mela. The ritual baths in the icy waters, very light food and nights spent on the
sand, wrapped in a blanket (in a tent sometimes) are accepted as a spirit of penance to be washed of one’s sins.
Pilgrims recite sacred texts and sing bhajans (Hindu religious songs) around fire and amidst permanent music.
The tour itinerary will be customized to offer you opportunity to be present in the Kumbh Mela during one of the
auspicious dates of ‘Holy Bath’ in Sangam. The sadhus arrive from all sides and settle around the river. They have
the privilege of bathing first. For pilgrims, it is a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with such wise men. As
soon as the sadhus enter the sacred waters, all the pilgrims enter the river, which becomes a human tide.
In the morning, watch the auspicious bathing ceremony and/ or have yourselves a holy dip into Triveni Sangam.
Rest of the day, roam around and visit ‘pandals’ of various ‘akharas’ & ‘sadhus’.
Later in the evening, return to camp / hotel for overnight stay.