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I was at the 2012 Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad. (some of the pictures are from that event). It was the craziest event I’ve ever seen, and after 3 months in India I

I was at the 2012 Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad. (some of the pictures are from that event). It was the craziest event I’ve ever seen, and after 3 months in India I thought I’d seen some stuff. Nope. Naga baba’s, doing their tricks and proving their holiness (beating their penis and using them to pick up boulders). Sat with the guy who’s been holding his arm up to god for, I don’t know 20+ years. Anything extreme and devoted is considered holy. So this festival brings all those people together, to show in their own way, their devotion. It’s so loud and chaotic, 24x7. It’s like Times Square meets a music festival, but in every direction, for as far as you can see. It’s a whole temporary city constructed on the banks of the river, for this festival. Each guru / sect has their own campsite. Any camp site will feed you, get you stoned, put you up for the night and send you on your way in the morning. (Or you can stay for the rest of your life). I would recommend it for anyone. But if you get tired of a 3 day music festival... this is going to test you. It’s everything I loved so much about India.

saiya-jin 8y ago
Thank you, you motivated me even more :) (spent 6 months in India backpacking around and in the Himalayas, it is an universe on its own)
- RileyJames 8y ago
  No worries, it’s a unique experience. I would recommend starting your stay at one of the “foreigner” camps. These are usually the camps of leaders from that are based in, or have a major following from, a developed nation. (We stayed a Brazilian buba’s camp). It was a good base camp, to escape the festival when necessary. From there you can explore as deep into the festival as you want. It goes for 2 months, so you’ve got plenty of time. It can eventually become overwhelming and you’ll need somewhere to recharge.
mistrial9 8y ago
"Anything extreme and devoted is considered holy" .. this statement seems unwise - there are many considerations here

saiya-jin 8y ago

Thank you, you motivated me even more :) (spent 6 months in India backpacking around and in the Himalayas, it is an universe on its own)

RileyJames 8y ago
No worries, it’s a unique experience. I would recommend starting your stay at one of the “foreigner” camps. These are usually the camps of leaders from that are based in, or have a major following from, a developed nation. (We stayed a Brazilian buba’s camp). It was a good base camp, to escape the festival when necessary. From there you can explore as deep into the festival as you want. It goes for 2 months, so you’ve got plenty of time. It can eventually become overwhelming and you’ll need somewhere to recharge.

mistrial9 8y ago

"Anything extreme and devoted is considered holy" .. this statement seems unwise - there are many considerations here