Imagine a foggy, cold North Indian dawn, against the backdrop of which millions of voices can be heard chanting, praying and singing. The clap of a thousand cymbals, the blare of a thousand conchs and the clang of a thousand worship bells. The rising smoke from wood fires, the fragrance of incense and flowers. The ululations of devotees as they surge as a single mass into freezing cold waters as the day breaks, oblivious of vanity or discomfort, cheering in the triumph of their faith. This is the Maha Kumbh Mela!

The Mahakumbh Mela is a spiritual event of epic proportions which takes place every 12 years in the city of Allahabad in northern India. It is a pilgrimage of faith, salvation and hope for millions of Indians and vast numbers gather in observance of one of India’s most famous religious events. Allahabad, the ancient holy city of Prayag (holiest of the holy) is located at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna and is considered the most sacred and location for the Mela. The Kumbh Mela is a festival that celebrates and commemorates the triumph of the gods’ over the demons in the battle for Amrit, the nectar of immortality. It is said that during the battle 4 drops of nectar fell to the earth. A drop each is supposed to have fallen at the cities of Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. Over the centuries pilgrims have celebrated this triumph of good over evil by bathing in the rivers near theses four cities. It is believed that taking a dip in the Sangam (the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati) at Allahabad during the Kumbh Mela will cleanse one of all their sins, and grant an escape from the endless cycle of reincarnation by paving a path for salvation or Moksha.

No visitor to India would consider their journey complete without a visit to India’s most famous monument, the Taj Mahal, or a stay at one of India’s premier ‘palaces’ in the romantic city of Jaipur.
Cox and Kings Tours

Cox and Kings Tours is offering a ‘once in a lifetime’ private journey to experience one of the largest religious festivals in the world. These tours are being held in January and February of 2013. Please contact Jessica@renshawtravel for more details.

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