“The tunes of the mystic echoing in the air.
Dhol, Drums, Nagada & Shankh.
The sun still rising.
Heat, Chaos, Music & Peace.
Near the Ghats, dipping themselves, I see naked men smeared with ash.
Electric energy, I smell Hashish.
It’s a holy bash, God’s retreat.”
May 2025. PRAYAGRAJ,
Tour Details
Overview
Day 1: Delhi | Arrival | Stay in Delhi
Day 2: Kumbh Mela | Flight to Prayagraj (Allahabad). Stay in Camps
Day 3-Day 4: Kumbh Mela – Visit Akhadas. Stay in Camps.
Day 5- Kumbh Mela – Shahi Snan/ Auspicious Bathing dates.
Day 6: Flight to Delhi / Tour extension (if any)
Auspicious Bathing Dates:
January 13, 2025: Paush Purnima Snan
January 14, 2025: Makar Sankranti Snan
January 29, 2025: Mauni Amavasya Snan
February 2, 2025: Basant Panchmi Snan
February 4, 2025: Achla Saptimi Snan
February 12, 2025: Maghi Purnima Snan
February 26, 2025: Maha Shivratri Snan
Itinerary in Glance
Day 1 – Arrival at Delhi airport.
- Arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi for Kumbh Mela 2025 Photo Tour. Our representative will greet and assist you to the coach.
- Transfer to your Hotel. Check-in and overnight.
Day 2 – Delhi – Prayagraj (Flight). Kumbh Mela
- Flight to Prayagraj (Allahabad). Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj occurs at the confluence (Sangam) of the Ganges and the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati River.
- Check-in at the Swiss camps.
- If time permits, a walking tour to Akhadas (Accommodation camps of Naga sadhus)
- Overnight in Swiss camps (will all meals included)
Day 3 and Day 4 – Kumbh Mela
- In morning, we will start visit of Akhadas in Prayagraj. There are as many as 13 akhadas spread over acres and acres. You can visit some of the Akhadas and get the chance to understand the life of Sadhu’s & Guru of the different Akhadas.
- Chances of photography of Nagas in Akhada or Camps. Some of the Nagas are famous for their unique style. Visiting theses akhadas give you a chance to know and observe theses sadhus more closely.
- Afternoon at leisure.
- In evening, again visit more akhadas. Visit Kinnar (Eunuch) Akhada, established recently in year 2015 and gained popularity for this.
- Later back to Swiss camps. Stay in Swiss camps.
Day 5 – Auspicious Bathing Dates – Snan
- Today you will witness the Kumbh Mela in full fervour. This great Indian Festival attracts the largest gathering of people on the planet for spiritual fulfilment.
- Braving the dark of the pre-dawn hours, the chill in the air and the ice-cold water of the Ganga, thousands of devotees ecstatically shouting “Bom Bom Bhole” start bathing in the holiest river of the Hindus on Shahi Snan/ Main Bathing dates, one of the biggest days of the Kumbh Mela.
- During Shahi Snan (Royal Bath), Kumbh Mela witness some amazing scenes on ghats of river Ganges when each Akhada take out a procession before taking a Royal dip in the Ganges. Many akhadas want to show off their strength by the numbers of Nagas they can muster during the bath.
- The bustling noise from the sounding bells, chanting of Vedic hymns and mantras create a vibrant atmosphere during the Kumbh Mela. Processions are carried out by various religious sects on camel-back and elephant-back, while others travel in their gold and silver chariots being pulled by devotees.
- After full day of hustle and bustle, return to Camp for nice meal and relax in your Swiss Camp. Overnight.
Day 6 – Prayagraj – Delhi (Flight)
- Flight to Delhi. Departure.
Package Inclusions:
- 05 Nights’ accommodation on a single/ double sharing basis at the listed hotel with Daily breakfast.
- Transfers and sightseeing as per the Itinerary.
- All transfers and sightseeing by air-conditioned Car.
- All meals in Swiss camps in Kumbh Mela.
- Services of English-speaking Photography Tour Guide for the tour.
- Unlimited packaged drinking water.
- Government Service tax.
Exclusions:
- Personal extras, such as drinks, laundry, telephone, etc
- Tips & gratuities to porters, drivers, and Guide.
- Visa fees, Airport taxes, Camera/Video fees
- Travel Insurance
- Any other item not mentioned as included.
- Domestic flights.
It was my first time at a Kumbh Mela and my journey started with the Photography Tours in India, which takes travelers from all across the world, on photography tours, and drenches us in the essence of the culture of the place.
I vividly remember the mantras being chanted everywhere. The colorful little stalls, selling the things needed for Puja and Aarti. The saints and the seers and their maddening devotees filled every inch of the air with their mystical vibes. I could see travelers & pilgrims coming from all across the world and not just India. And there, I floated along with the crowd, soaking in the sounds, the colors, and the spiritual energy of the place.
As I was walking down the ghat, in a conversation with our Photography Tour Mentor, Harsh Agarwal from Photography Tours in India, I got to know that Every Hindu festival and ritual has a story behind it. They are celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm, along with having a strong scientific, historical, and thoughtful basis attached to them. Historically the word ‘Kumbh’ actually means ‘A Pot’ which here emerged from the legend revolving around “Samudra Manthan” (Churning of the ocean between God & Asuras).
Photography Tours in India’s mentor told us that, The Kumbh Mela is held every three years, and switches between four different locations – Haridwar (river Ganga), Prayag (Triveni Sangam of Yamuna, Ganga, and Saraswati), Ujjain (river Kshipra), and Nasik (River Godavari). The Kumbh Mela returns to each location after a span of 12 years.
Scientifically These customs are made to lead an individual on a spiritual path where they can experience complete psychological balance, rejuvenation, and relaxation. The Kumbh Mela is held on the dates when the waters of these sacred rivers are said to turn into nectar. Nectar here refers to oxygen level. Oxygen levels at these places are high on a few dates. The exact dates are calculated according to a combination of zodiac positions of Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon.
I wasn’t even finished talking about the history when I got distracted on hearing a few voices echoing in full excitement, “Har Har Mahadev.” On looking towards that side, I found a group of people carrying Trident in their hands, bodies smeared with ash, & their hair made up into dreadlocks. Instantly, I could tell that they were the famous Naga Sadhus, who came here to attain Moksha by drenching themselves in the holy water. On a closer look I also realized that not all of them were Indians, a few of them, the white ones were from the west as well.
I was mesmerized! I was so curious to know what made the Westerners follow this path that, I literally plunged myself towards that side, to have a short talk with one of them, who I got to know was from Canada. While taking a puff of weed, the Naga baba told me that he came to India long back as a traveler and got so enchanted by the spiritual journey that he left his materialistic world behind and took a ‘Sanyas’ to meet with his beloved, God.
It was then that I understood, Kumbh isn’t just a confluence of the Amrit and the rivers. The Kumbh rather is also an amalgamation of beliefs, cultures & philosophies from all around the world. I could see devotees from all across the world, taking the holy dip in the hope of cleansing their sins. I saw travelers like me, with their eyes wide open with amazement & being enchanted by the sheer energy of the place. And then, there were a few who were there just to enjoy the carnival.
Harsh from Photography Tours in India mentioned that this was his 3rd Participation in Kumbh and will be leading groups in Maha Kumbh Allahabad 2019 Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2022 and Kumbh Mela 2025 in Allahabad as well.
