2010 Kumbh Mela Trip
Your Tour Guide
James Kelleher - leading groups to India for the past 10 years.
About Our Odyssey
Tour the spiritual tapestry of the Indian culture.
Feel your inner world open and expand as we experience the power of ancient temples.
Participate in an historic event, the largest spiritual gathering of all time.
Walk in the footsteps of holy sages and sit in the uplifting presence of living saints and yogis.
“Kumbh Mela 2010"
March 13-20,2010 I will be taking a group to Kumbh Mela. Kumbh mela is, by far, the biggest gathering of human beings on earth. It is a spiritual festival that attracts yogis, saints, sadhus, sadhakas, monks, and pilgrims from all parts of India. This huge event only takes place every 12 years at the time that Jupiter is in Kumbha (Aquarius) and has been going on since ancient times.
One of the great things about Kumbh Mela is that it draws all of the saints and yogis into one place. This makes it possible to meet spiritual luminaries that would normally be hard to meet, or would otherwise be hidden in remote areas of the Himalayas. It also brings a tremendous focus of spiritual attention to one place on earth. As one well known Spiritual Teacher put it, "When millions of people are drawn to one place and all pray at the same time, I would love to be right in the middle of it!." To see a utube video of Kumbh Mela click here.
Besides visiting and encountering innumerable holy people, one of the main spectacles to be experienced at Kumbha Mela is that on certain dates, all of the yogis, sadhus, saints (and everyone else for that matter), takes a bath in the Ganges. This is an amazing form of prayer. The Ganges river is considered to be a holy river. In mythology it is said to be the hair of Lord Siva. It is worshipped as a goddess, and it is believed that taking a bath in the ganges disolves one's karma and can be immensly helpful for spiritual evolution. The auspiscious bathing dates that occur during Kumbh Mela are chosen for their astrologcial significance which amplify the power of the ritual bath. This, combined with the company of hundreds of thousands of yogis and millions of other spiritual seekers, produces a powerful syncrony of conscousness. It creates a possibility for profound spiritual transformation.
Like other Kumbh Melas, the 2010 Mela will take place over the course of about three months. During that time, the sadhus will pitch their tents, and millions of pilgrims will visit. What is different about the 2010 event however, is the sheer number of people who feel called to participate. This year, over the course of the entire Mela, between 50-100 million people are expected to come. This is an unprecidented number, reflecting a sense of spiritual ugency on the planet. At a time when terrorism and warefare in the world are threatening to degrade and undermine our civilization, 100 million people will gather in one place for ritual bathing and prayer!
An obvious and practical question about this trip is related to logistics. With so many people in attendance, how will we manage to get accomodations, food, transporation and avoid chaos. I have been taking people on trips to India for many years. Although I have never attended a Kubh mela before, I work with a parnter in India who has not only attended previous Kumbh Melas, but who has successfully guided large groups there. This year, we have secured a special spot in Haridwar where comfortable accomodations are being arranged. At the mela itself, we will be staying in very comfortable luxury tents. These tents come in three levels of comfort (depending on how much you want to spend) and include all the amenities. They are large and comfortable, and include two beds, a western toilet, bathroom, and running water. Staying in this tented oasis will allow us to come and go from the Mela grounds easily, without having to walk for miles.
Pre Mela Heart of India Trip: Before the Kumbh Mela we are arranging a one week trip to Agra (the Taj Mahal) and to Varanasi, for those people who would like to see more of India. If you are interested in attending the 2010 Kumbh Mela and attending either or both of these trips, check out the itineraries given in the left sidebar of this page.
Trip Dates: Pre Mela Heart of India Trip - March 5-12, 2010
Kumbha Mela Trip - March 13 - 20, 2010
Trip Cost:
Pre Mela Heart of India Trip: $2395 (Double) Per person
$2893 (Single)
Kumbh Mela Trip: $2387 (Double) per person
$3060 (Single)
To reserve a space, send $1000 to:
James Kelleher
17361 El Rancho Ave
Monte Sereno, CA, 95030
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