Kumbh Mela has always attracted travel enthusiaists and travel bloggers from all over the world. This was my second Kumbh and what to say, I enjoyed it to the fullest. It was easy to reach Allahabad (now Prayagraaj) from Lucknow. There were state run buses and they were too frequent. But we opted for a taxi. It took us about four hours to reach Allahabad and to the mela site. We had our booking at one of the U.P. tourism cottages. We reached around 7 P.M. and Yo! the mela ground was buzzing with activities.
 |
Mela Roads
The roads inside the mela campus were astonishingly smooth and well built. In fact, I did not expect such an effective arrangement. The police were too co-operative and willing to help. Lighting was fabulous. The whole atmosphere was serene and spiritual. I planned for a 5 day stay but let's see.....
|
Next Morning, it was a time to roam around the mela. I was enthusiastic to meet the Naga sadhus.
 |
| Naga Sadhus |
 |
| A devotee taking blessings of a Naga |
 |
| Nagas |
And, As the above pics suggest, i meet a lot of them. A naga's life is not easy. First of all they have to remain naked throughtout the year 24x7, irrespective of the weather. And, believe me, its not easy. They are trained to be mentally tough....very very tough. I will discuss a naga's life in detail in this very blog. But you will have to wait.
Subsequent Morning, it was time to take a dip at Sangam. Sangam means junction. A junction where three sacred rivers meet. Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. A dip, at the focal point of the sangam, during Kumbh gives you Mokhsa (freedom from the vicious cycle of life and death), as per Hindu beliefs.
It was january's first week, when winters are at their peak in India, and that too in North India. But when i saw thousands and thousands of devotees taking dips, i felt comfortable and took off the clothes to take a dip or two. but ahhhhhhhhh.....it was too cold. somehow i managed.
Oh yes, there were a large number of siberian cranes on the river. They come all along from Siberia in winters to India. only if you thought birds were weak. thosands of miles from Siberia to India. Astonishing, but true.
 |
| Siberian Cranes |
 |
| Siberian Cranes |
 |
| Siberian Cranes in Holy Ganga at Allahabad |
 |
| Siberian Cranes at Ganga in Allahabad enjoying the winters |
 |
| Siberian Birds at Ganga river in Allahabad |
 |
| Boat that took us to Sangam |
 |
Holy Ganga
|
 |
| Waves of Ganga |
we all get a bit philosophical when we are near the river or sea. After all, we will all get washed away, either to the sea or soil. What is life? A bubble, a pop up, a drop that would ultimately settle in water. But still we act like we are invincible.
