Maha Kumbha Haridwar 2010
Snan Parva or Bathing Dates at Maha Kumbh Haridwar 2010 ~ Romola Butalia
The much-awaited Mahakumbh at Haridwar in 2010 will see devotees and pilgrims from all over the world converge at the ancient holy city of Haridwar, the gateway to the abode of the gods. The entire period of the Kumbha is auspicious, but the special bathing dates draw unprecedented crowds at every Kumbha. Read More...
Legends of Kumbha ~ Romola Butalia
A Kumbha procession defies description - it must be experienced to be known. It is heralded by the conjunction of planets at an auspicious time and place, and it is the convergence of a spiritual energy that has it's own compelling power. Read More...
Sadhu-Sanyasins at the Kumbha ~ Romola Butalia
Adi Shankaracharya classified the Adwaitvadi Sannyasins into ten groups : Giri, Puri, Bharti, Tirtha, Wan, Aranya, Parwat, Ashram, Sagar and Saraswati. This organisation is known as Dashnami Sangh. Read More...
Practical Guide to Kumbha~ Romola Butalia
The practical difficulties of attending a Kumbha Festival, an insiders' perspective to a planned visit and some useful background and tips. Read More...
Phot Gallery: Kumbh Revisited~ Alok Johri
Powerful images of the Kumbh that tell its own story by photo-journalist Alok Johri. Read More...
Impressions of the Kumbha
Notes from the Kumbh: Is it a Transformative Experience? ~ Raman Nanda
While living on the banks of the Ganga and filing reports on the event, this journalist watched from the sidelines reluctant to take a dip. On an auspicious bathing day, wedged by humanity on all sides, the freezing cold water warmed his heart and his thoughts moved back in time from his mother to his Grandfather to his ancestors, to their ancestors along a lineage that obviously stretched back infinitely. "The awareness that I am just a speck - across history - was very real." Read More...
Notes from the Kumbh: From Friend to Sage ~ Raman Nanda
Excerpt: As we sat talking to a group of Sadhus, I was acutely aware of this awesome looking one - tall, white robes, beard touching his knees and wild Naga-like matted hair. He called me by my name. I turned to him in wonder and amusement. "God! One of those Sadhus, who are supposed to be divine and all!" Read More...
Notes from the Kumbh: Vignettes ~ Raman Nanda
Experienced journalist Nanda captures stray impressions of the Kumbh that have a lasting impact - Namaste: to the divine in you. Helpful policemen at the Kumbh. Read More...
Ardh Kumbha Allahabad 2007
Photo Gallery, Ardh Kumbh Allahabad~ Rajeev Kapilla
Rajeev Kapila spends 40 days as a kalpvasi in sadhana at the Ardha Kumbha at Allahabad and occasionally clicks to remember a sacred time and place. Read More...
Bathing Dates at Adha Kumbha, Allahabad, 2007 ~ Romola Butalia
The Triveni snan at the Ardhkumbh at Prayag or Allahabad, with details about the auspicious bathing dates and their significance.
Read More...
Simhastha (Maha Kumbha) Ujjain 2004
Photo Gallery, Kumbha Ujjain~ Alok Johri
Professional freelance photographer Alok Johri captures the many moods of the Kumbha at Ujjain in a gallery that speaks for itself. Read More...
Simhastha at Ujjain~ Romola Butalia
Ujjain, on the banks of the sacred Shipra river, is in the state of Madhya Pradesh, in central India. Here, the Simhastha is celebrated every 12 years. This is also the centre of Hindu timekeeping. Read More...
Behind the Scenes at the Maha Kumbh at Ujjain ~ Romola Butalia
Behind the scenes, the administration geared up and the sadhu-sannyasins set up camps for the greatest spiritual congregation on earth. Read More...
Ujjain Snan (Bathing Dates), 2004~ Romola Butalia
The Simhastha began with the first bathing date on April 05 and ended with the shahi snan on May 05, 2004. Read More...
