More of this Feature • Open Religious Rendezvous • A Global Communion • Foreign Reactions!

Join the Discussion "I believe the Ganges is symbolic of the spirituality flowing in our hearts..." CHAWLA2

Related Resources • Kumbh Photo Gallery • Kumbh Mela @ A Glance • Kumbh Mela on the Web • Kumbh @ Indian Culture

Many evocative snapshots and reports from the Mela have revealed how Western enthusiasts have had a time of their life at the Kumbh.

The Yank of Faith!
Visitors of varied nationality and religious denominations were among the estimated 70 million pilgrims who passed through this mega-event. Among them was Mohan Kumar from Paraguay, born a Christian and once known as Daniel Alberto, who traveled to India two years ago and met a 65-year-old Naga saint who changed his life. A German, who loves to be known by his Hindu name Datta Bharati, said he had cycled all the way from his home in the Black Forest region to come to the Kumbh.

Then there was a 29-year-old British rowing champ who calls himself Ram Dev, and had jogged most of the way to Allahabad from Britain. He was preparing for the Sydney Olympics when he learnt he had throat cancer. An Indian friend introduced him to the stoicism of Hinduism, and Ram left his home in March 20, 2000 to reach the Kumbh Mela. Another pilgrim, a Danish, who is on a cycle rally of the world, said that he traveled 35,000 km on foot to take part in the ritual bath.

Awestruck @ Allahabad!
Carol van Wijck, a 32-year-old software professional from Amsterdam who has visited India a dozen times, was stunned by the mass spiritual communion between so many people and the river. Ross Anthony, a 29-year-old British engineer was dumbstruck at the sheer scale of the fair. Fellow British Danny Sims was surprised at the cleanliness of the event. Shahra Salekaka, an American tourist, said the Naga Sadhus are the most special people on earth. To Denmark's Max this was the most amazing example of disciplined crowd in the world. It was an unbelievable sight for Robert Spengpinto. Korch from Switzerland was wonderstruck by the faith the Hindus have shown in this religious festival.

Fun & Fulfillment!
Not all of the visitants to Allahabad, either Hindu or non-Hindu, were interested in knowing the history or theology of the congregation. They were most interested in the present - for instance in rediscovering the kind of wild hermits they have only read about in legends in the mystifying naked Naga sadhus.

As hundreds of Hindus shaved off their head during the Maha Kumbh, as a tribute to their ancestors, Thomas Thomczkya, a Polish visitor found a perfect occasion to get a full hair cut. An African saint, and a Japanese sanyasin went on to bury themselves in the sands of the Ganges bank for a spell of samadhi. A young man and his girlfriend, who had come to Prayag for a holy dip from Nepal, also ended up marrying, on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti.