I've been fascinated by he Khumb and Mahg Mela held in Allahabad since I learned of it on my first trip to India. These melas (festivals) take place late Januaray early February every year. The Khumb is every twelve years and is the largest congregation of human beings in the world. The Mahg (which we attended is a "smaller" version held every year. There are several auspicious days in which the Hindus come here to bath on. It is all based on astrology. They bath here at a place called the Sangam at the spot where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati ( a mythical river) converge.
We made it to Allahabad around 4 in the afternoon on the 28th. It took us a while to find a hotel. After check in we took a bicycle rickshaw to the Sangam. There were thousands and thousands of people. I would guess conservatively a half million strong. The actual river must of been a couple miles from where we were dropped off. We just followed the masses. Upon cresting a hill a wide open plain of yellow tents that stretched for mile appeared before us and stopped us in awe. I took a picture and was indstantly shamed by a policeman. Photography is strictly forbidden here and often met with violence. But there are plenty of youtube videos if interested. I was not feeling journalistic but survivalistic at the time and packed the camera away. The sun was going down quick and the pure otherworldliness of the whole situation put both Gretch and I on a bit of an edge. We did make it to the river crossing a rickety pontooned bridge over a rushing river and b-lined it back.
The whole situation was a cross between a state fair, music festival, and religous parade with the obvious Indian flair that only India is capable of. I don't think I will have to make it back to Allahabad agian, but consider myself lucky for the experience.
Off to Varanasi.
We made it to Allahabad around 4 in the afternoon on the 28th. It took us a while to find a hotel. After check in we took a bicycle rickshaw to the Sangam. There were thousands and thousands of people. I would guess conservatively a half million strong. The actual river must of been a couple miles from where we were dropped off. We just followed the masses. Upon cresting a hill a wide open plain of yellow tents that stretched for mile appeared before us and stopped us in awe. I took a picture and was indstantly shamed by a policeman. Photography is strictly forbidden here and often met with violence. But there are plenty of youtube videos if interested. I was not feeling journalistic but survivalistic at the time and packed the camera away. The sun was going down quick and the pure otherworldliness of the whole situation put both Gretch and I on a bit of an edge. We did make it to the river crossing a rickety pontooned bridge over a rushing river and b-lined it back.
The whole situation was a cross between a state fair, music festival, and religous parade with the obvious Indian flair that only India is capable of. I don't think I will have to make it back to Allahabad agian, but consider myself lucky for the experience.
Off to Varanasi.
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