Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Kumbh Mela - 2013

Unique Experiences !

Allahbad (Prayag)
25 January - 25 February

Adler Tours & Safaris invites you to an experience of a life time! The Maha Kumbh Mela- “The festival of the pot holding the nectar of immortality”- the largest human spectacle on the planet.




According to mythology, it is believed that during the Vedic period when Gods and Demons reigned the world, the duo made a temporary agreement to work together for churning Amrita (the nectar of immortality) from the Milky Ocean, and share it equally among them. But when the Kumbh (pot) containing Amrita appeared, the demons fled with it. The Gods chased them and fought with them for twelve days and nights (equivalent to twelve human years) in the sky for its possession. During this battle, drops of Amrita fell earth in four places: Prayag, Nasik, Haridwar and Ujjain. It is believed that due to drops of Amrita, these places have acquired mystical power (especially Prayag), and henceforth the Maha Kumbh on the twelve year cycle in Prayag, on the confluence of the Gangas, Yamuna and the Sarawati is considered the most sacred of all and is attended by millions of people.


According to astrologers, when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries, the holy event of the Kumbh Mela begins. It is believed that during this period, the passage from earth to other higher planets is open, and the soul can easily attain the celestial world. Thus by bathing in the Holy river, the past sins are washed off and the soul attains Moksha (becomes eligible for libration from cycle of birth and death). People take ritual baths in the holy river at a predetermined time, and forgetting the extreme temperatures. This river offers purity, wealth and fertility, and washes away the sins of those who bathe in it.






This unique blends religious and cultural features alike. Apart from the pilgrims, many acclaimed saints and sadhus (Hindu holy men) from all over the country come to participate in the Kumbh Mela. The most prominent are the naga sadhus who do not wear any clothes and smear ashes on their bodies. There are also the Urdhwavahurs, who belive in putting the body through severe austerities; the Parivajakas, who have taken a vow of silence and go about thinking little bells to get people out of their way; the Shirashasins who stand 24-hours and meditate for hours standing on their heads. The Kalpvasis spend the entire month of the Kumbh on the banks of the Ganga, meditating, performing rituals and bathing thrice a day.


The venue becomes the center of the religious discussion and religious assemblies where doctrine is debated and standardized. With the entire atmosphere saturated with chiming bells, incense and flower fragrance, Vedic hymens, mantras, beating of drums on horses, camels, and elephants during the processions of naga (naked) sadhus from different akhadas (orders) in their gold and silver chariots being pulled by devotees, as they show their strength and skills – pure enchantment for the soul.



Main Bathing Dates 2013:-



Paush Murnima – 27th January 2013


Ekadashi Snan – 6th February 2013


Mauni Amavasya Snan – 10th February 2013 (main date)


Basant Panchami Snan – 15th February 2013


Rath Saptami Snan – 17th February 2013


Bhishma Ekadasi Snan – 18th February 2013


Maghi Purnima Snan – 25th February 2013






SPECIAL RATES

(3nts/ 4days Program)

(Main bathing dates) 10th Feb. ( In 8th Feb –out 11th Feb);

27th January( In 25th Feb-out 28th Feb) ;

15/17/18 Feb ( In 13th Feb- 19th Feb) 3nts/7nts package.

DAY 01: Arrive Allahabad
Receive & proceed for check in at the Mohan’s Swiss Camp site, an ideal & Luxurious Kumbh Camp for a Spiritual holiday, photography tours & Yoga Retreats. Located close to the festival area.

After freshening -up the guests are briefed about the festival & the schedule. Followed by lunch (Vegetarian meals throughout the stay).
Post lunch visit near by Sadhu camps & discourses that are on at the time of your visit.

Return to Camp site for bonfire, dinner and Overnight stay.


Day 2/3/. Allahabad (Royal Bath) :

After early breakfast visit various camps & Akharas to meet the sadhus, pilgrims from various cultures of India & photograph them.

Meals shall all be at the camp.

This night we sleep early to wake up at 3.00am am to prepare for the walk to theprocession site that leaves for the Royal Bath. A breath-taking site.

After the Royal Procession, there is opportunity to take yourself the Holy dip at the confluence place of the rivers.

Return to camp to relax & earlysleep.

Day 4. Allahabad departure :

Leisure wakeup or free to visit around the camp & later proceed to your waiting transport to drive you to yournext destination.


Optional activities (will be organised between 1400 Hrs - 1630 Hrs only) :
1. Availability of Ayurvedic therapies for massage by specialized Ayurvedic physians / masseurs (from North India & Kerala) (at extra cost).
2. Reiki under the guidance of Reiki Master (at extra cost).

The cost (per night) & the facilities are as follows :

1. Deluxe luxury swiss cottage tent colony rates are as follows:

Rs. 7395/- (USD $140) (single) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Rs. 8010/- (USD $150)(double or twin) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.


2. Superior luxury swiss cottage tent colony rates are as follows:

Rs. 9860/- (USD $185) (single) with breakfast , lunch & dinner.
Rs. 10,780/- (USD $200)(double or twin) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Some of the major highlights of the camps:-

Accommodation in spacious all weather proof luxury-tents.

Attached baths and toilets with running Hot & Cold water.

Multi cuisine vegetarian satvik dining facilities offering international (Continental, Chinese) and regional cuisines (Garhwali, Punjabi, South India and other Indian cuisines).

Hot water bottles as sun down service.

Guided visits to the shrine.


First aid at camps with oxygen cylinders.

Well structured activity blocks at each of the campsites to take care of everyday

· Aarti
Religious discourses
Yoga lessons
Prayers
Meditation

· Ayurvedic massages & Spa Centre (extra cost)

· Escorted walks to various events during Maha Kumbh 2013

· Folk Dances every evening (on special request for groups)

· Safety Vault at reception for valuables

· Tea lounge 24 X 7


The camps are in the mela area & situated right on the Ganges. After you confirm we shall be giving you proper guidlines to reach the camp & also we can send someone for pickup at the railway station also.

Note : An English speaking guide to go around the ghats & the sadhu camps would cost Rs. 2500/- .




Yoga Retreat (7 day package)




Schedule starts at 0730 Hrs with the morning walk to the Ganga River.
The first session of yoga at the Holy river Ganga banks/yoga place at the camp (depending on theweather) led by the learned yoga instructors, who will explain the benefits of the different yoga postures & the art of performing for physical & mental benefits. (If yoga ispreferred to be done without walks, even that is possible)
Breakfast at 0830 Hrs.
Meditation class at 0930 Hrs. Delivering in 3 Levels (Basic, Gradual
and Advanced, as per Candidates).
Followed by a topic of the day discussion/lecture.
Buffet lunch at 1300 Hrs.
Relax time. Till 1430 Hrs.
Yoga & meditation at 1600 Hrs for one hours.

Time free to visit various Sadhu camps.

The 7 days cost & the facilities are as follows :

1. Deluxe luxury swiss cottage tent colony rates are as follows:
Rs. 46,570/- (USD $865) (single) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Rs. 50,960/- (USD $945) (double or twin) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.


2. Superior luxury swiss cottage tent colony rates are as follows:
Rs. 58,520/- (USD $1085) (single) with breakfast , lunch & dinner.
Rs. 64,375/- (USD $1195) (double or twin) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Some of the major highlights of the camps:-
- Accommodation in spacious all weather proof luxury-tents.
- Attached baths and toilets with running Hot & Cold water.
- Multi cuisine vegetarian satvik dining facilities offering international (Continental, Chinese) and regional cuisines (Garhwali, Punjabi, South India and other Indian cuisines).
- Hot water bottles as sun down service.
- First aid at camps with oxygen cylinders.
- Escorted walk and visits to nearby areas.
- Well structured activity blocks at each of the campsites to take care of everyday
- Aarti
- Religious discourses
- Yoga lessons
- Prayers
- Meditation
- Ayurvedic massages & Spa Centre (extra cost)
- Escorted walks to various events during Maha Kumbh 2013 (extra cost)
- Folk Dances every evening (on special request for groups at extra cost only)
- Safety Vault at reception for valuables
- Tea lounge 24 X 7


The camps are close to the mela area.

Note : An English speaking guide to go around the ghats & the sadhu camps would cost Rs. 2800/- (USD 54) .

1 comment:

Discovery Journeys India said...

The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu spiritual fair that takes place alternately every 12 years in the most sacred towns of Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain in India at about 3 years intervals.
Thanks for posting this.


Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 |
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