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Press for a Photo at the Kumbha Mela
The Kumbha Mela is, needless to say, a photographers paradise. For those of us who have never been to a Kumbha Mela or never will, it is these men and women that do their best to bring this experience to our doorstep by photographing this exhilarating festival, if it is even possible at all to do so.
It’s not an easy task to say the least. Long hours on your feet, being shoved, pushed and pulled in every which way and every thing taking place in a split of a second.
The main bathing day with the colorful parade is especially challenging. Nobody seems to know what, where and when things will be taking place. One can only hope to be positioned in the right place so that you are not locked into a corner by hundreds of pilgrims and security forces helplessly watching the parade go by. Yes, it happened to me.
I was up early and placed myself in what I thought would be a strategic position. But before long I was sandwiched into a crowd with absolutely no way to move in any direction. I watched in utter dismay the parade of sadhus go by. My lens sadly hidden behind a sea of heads.
After the parade was over everyone that had gathered headed off in a different direction or followed the procession to the Ganges river. The street had never been so empty in the last few days. I waited there thinking that perhaps, if it is my good karma, that theses sadhus would return the same way they went down to the river. And surely enough my patience paid off. About an hour or so of patiently waiting the parade returned and this time I ensured I was perfectly placed.
Many of the sadhus don’t mind being photographed. In fact, some of them will gladly pose for you. But it is always polite to seek permission first before taking a photo of these holy men and women especially if you are coming in close for a portrait shot. During the day I also occasionally pointed the camera in the opposite direction and captured the following images showcasing a few of the photographers present at the Kumbha Mela.
I too was captured by a photographer. Danielle van der Schans from the Netherlands seizes the moment. See her work at www.daniellevanderschans.com.
Kumbha Mela’s Ascetics
In February of 2010 I was fortunate enough to be present at the Kumbha Mela festival that was taking place in Haridwar, North India. Thousands of Hindu ascetics (a person who leads an austerely simple life, especially one who abstains from the normal pleasures of life or denies himself or herself...
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Our latest Spiritual Adventure
Stay tuned for the announcement of Vedic Odyssey’s latest spiritual adventure to take place in October-November 2011.
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Leading a Spiritual Life in the World
On Sunday, 20th February I conducted a workshop in San Diego titled “How to Live a Spiritual Life in the World”. It is something I hear a lot of people tell me that they would like to do but are not quote sure where to get started. This inspired me to put together this workshop…
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The Beautiful Drive to the Western Ghats
Certainly one of the most beautiful drives in south western India is the drive from Kochi to Periyar in the Western Ghats. During our upcoming 2-week spiritual adventure to Kerala, South India we will be making our way up to the Western Ghats. To learn more about this spiritual adventure or join ...
Read MoreMy Himalayan Spiritual Adventure
In this video Gary Gilman from Colorado shares about his experience of traveling on Vedic Odyssey’s 2010 The Himalayas spiritual adventure through the Himalayas of Nepal and North India in October. He shared the journey with 16 other travelers from various countries on this 16-day experient...
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Siva’s Great Night
Maha Sivaratri or “Siva’s Great Night” is a religious festival that takes place once a year where Hindus stay awake throughout the night worshiping and honoring their Supreme God Siva. The festival is celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day of the new moon during Krishn...
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