Kumbh Mela Festival

The pigs are in Allahabad at last to witness a portion of the Kumbh Mela Festival. From now until early March, over 75 million people will come to this sandy river bed where 3 rivers including the Ganga (Ganges) converge. Here the Sadhus, Gurus, Brahmin, and people of all faiths will come to bathe at this holy site in order to stop the cycle of life, wash away all sins and make their journey straight to Nirvana.



Women bathing in the Ganges



One of my Favorite Sadhu Pictures



Over 400 Years of Sadhus



Our camp in the evening



A young man kneeling at  his Sadhu Guru





OMMMMMMMM!

Early morning is my favorite time of day, and it is no different here in Varanasi. OM is the primordial sound of the universe, and when describing early morning here it is the OM starting at the navel or center of the city and working upwards through the chakras to emerge, and erupt at the Holy Ganges.

Sunrise on the Ganges

 

Boats on the Ganges



Preparation for Evening Services

 

Women Bathing in the Ganges

The sun begins to rise on the far banks of the river, and the linga continues to stretch towards me. I watch the river and all those on its shores slowly awake to begin a new day...a day of life and a day of death; a day of all that life brings to us if we are here in the moment to take it all in. We internalize each sensation, and make them ours. OMmmmm.......

Crematorium on the Ganges



Another Piggy Journey Begins!

Our journey to the Hindu Kumbh Mela Festival has begun! Despite the blizzard in London which grounded over 500 flights, our flight from London Heathrow to Delhi and on to Varanasi made it out with 5 of the 6 little pigs on board.

We were up next to be de-iced!

Varanasi is home to the Holy Ganges. No matter how often I may visit this city of 3 million people, it continues to move and stimulate me. This is life among chaos and faith....hope and despair....joy and sadness. Varanasi has for centuries been one of the most holy spots on the Ganges. Everyone is a seeker here. Each one of us will find something in this auspicious place. It is our own journey to explore............

Colorful Faces of Hindi Images

Sunrise in Varanasi

 

Replica of Buddha with Diciples