Kumbh Mela 2013 Photo Tour from Copper sky journey

Exciting Pilgrimage Tour…

The Kumbh Mela is the largest gathering of humanity ever witnessed anywhere in the world. This is your chance to be part of this momentous event.

The celebrations in January – February 2013 will be especially auspicious as it is the purna (complete) Kumbh Mela and is being held after 12 years! Absolutely nothing else in the world compares to the scale and enormity of the Kumbh. Over 70 million people attended the 45 day ardh (half) Kumbh Mela back in 2007!

Itinerary:

Feb 3: New Delhi
Our stay in Delhi is short as we welcome you on arrival into India. Spend the night relaxing in your comfortable hotel suite so you wake up refreshed to board you flight to Varanasi the next day.

February 4: Varanasi
After an hour long morning flight, we start our spiritual journey in Varanasi, the of the oldest surviving cities in the world and the center of Hindu religious beliefs. While in Varanasi, you will see the importance Hindus attach to the river Ganges which will help you understand the Kumbh Mela better.

We explore the city for half the day visiting the Bharat Mata Temple, dedicated to the country, and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple among others. In the evening, we go to the banks of the Ganges to witness a spectacle. We attend the Ganga Aarti performed at Dasashwamedh Ghat where the Ganges river is worshiped with many flamed lamps, the chant of Sanskrit mantras and the clash of cymbals and drums. Against the falling light of dusk, the ceremony is a treat to the eyes.

February 5 – 12: Allahabad (Kumbh Mela)
After an early morning boat ride on the Ganges which gives you a sneak peek into people’s lives as the city wakes up, we head to Allahabad. A 3 hour road journey later, we arrive at the city bursting at its seams with millions of people.
Be prepared for the shock as you witness the frenzy of the Kumbh for the first time. Accompanied by our knowledgeable guide, head out towards the ghats (riverbank) and the festival area to witness first-hand the myriad activities taking place and the multitudes of people milling around. Our guide will explain the meaning and significance of sights around you. Feel free to ask questions so you fully understand how deeply this festival goes into the Hindu psyche.

Over the three days that you will be at the Kumbh, we will visit and witness various aspects of the Kumbh that make it special. We will visit an akhara (literally ‘wrestling arena’) which are essentially the different sects of saints and are central to how the Kumbh works. We repeatedly interact with a local scholar who will go back millenia to explain how the Kumbh came about as well as the symbolism of everything you see around you. We visit the shamsana ghat (cremation ground) for some of the most moving photographic opportunities.

The Best Days Of The Kumbh Mela:
This Kumbh Mela tour is designed to give you an opportunity to capture two of the best dates of the Kumbh Mela. February 6 and February 10 are both scheduled for maha snan (holy bathing) which is the main spectacle of the event. Of these, the maha snan on February 10 is Mauni Amavasya which is the holiest day of bathing throughout the Kumbh Mela with the maximum attendance. You are guaranteed to get images to last you a lifetime.

For The Photographer:
The group will be accompanied by a photographer who has covered crowded events before and is well versed with the Kumbh Mela. He will assist you in getting to the best spots for capturing that brilliant image. He will also accompany the group to other spots like the shamsana ghat and the akhara for covering the various activities happening at the sidelines of the Kumbh Mela.

February 13:Varanasi / New Delhi onward
Having experienced the Kumbh Mela from close quarters, we take a stroll through the city and explore some of its sights and sounds. We visit the underground temple and the immortal tree – Patalpuri Mandir and Akshaya Vat – at the edge of town. Indian mythology has it that people in the ancient days use to throw themselves from the tree to attain salvation. In its prime, the nearby Akbar Fort was unrivalled for its design, construction and craftsmanship.
Later we depart from Allahabad for a short journey to Varanasi from where you can board your flight to New Delhi and onward to your home.

Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days (February 3 – 13, 2013)
Destinations: New Delhi, Varanasi, Allahabad
Indicative Price: INR 180,000 per person (Limited to 6 participants)per adult Twin sharing

Inclusions:

• Hotel accommodation
• Breakfast on all days
• Lunch & dinner during your stay in Allahabad and all road journeys / airport transfers with air conditioned coach. Does NOT include flights.

W: http://copperskyjourneys.com

*T&C Apply

For booking and more information contact copperskyjourneys.com