LF Review: ★★★★
This year’s Maha Kumbh Mela is special. Coinciding with a rare celestial alignment that happens once in 144 years, the Maha Kumbh is happening at an opportune time (from January 13 until February 26) when our skies and fortunes will enjoy quite a blessing. Organised every 12 years when the Sun, Moon and Jupiter are aligned, this year’s Maha Kumbh is getting a bonanza with the alignment of seven planets. Needless to say, it’s not to be missed.
Maha Kumbh, hosted in Prayagraj (Allahabad), has enjoyed much intrigue around the world. From witnessing the Naga Sadhus blaring their conches to securing that auspicious dip in the Triveni Sangam, where India’s three sacred rivers meet – Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati – Maha Kumbh welcomes devotees and curious minds alike. To experience this one-of-a-kind event, jüSTa Shivir Jhusi offers luxury tents as a great accommodation option.
Namaste, Maha Kumbh
A roughly one hour drive (can be more during the key mela days) from Prayagraj airport saw the landscape change from chaotic traffic to endless fields of flowering yellow mustard farms. And soon enough I reached the jüSTa Shivir Jhusi camp located on the other end of the Ganga with a view of the Ganges backwaters at one end, which had an instant calming effect.
After a quick traditional welcome, with a tikka and rudraksh chain, I am shown the way to my tent. The spacious tent had a living space with a sofa, a writing table, comfortable bed as well as a separate wardrobe area and an attached bathroom. The views are enviable as the entire site overlooks the Ganga, and you can see local fishermen on boats as well as a variety of birds.
Also, the jüSTa Shivir Jhusi camp site enjoys some distance from the other tent sites, allowing you to relax in a secluded and calm atmosphere. “It was new, challenging, and different for us as it’s not something we have done before. An event like this is quite amazing as it is the Purn Maha Kumbh this time and we are happy to be here. The revival of spiritual tourism helps us expand to newer segments and we have 100 tents here and 30 tents in the Juna Akhada,” says Ashish Vohra, Founder & CEO, Onora Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.
Food files
The camp site has a restaurant that serves buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The spread is quite elaborate and has plenty of options to choose from. Breakfast options include South Indian fare like idli and dosa as well as parathas, puri-sabzi and chole. Breads, doughnuts and muffins are placed alongside local delicacies like kachori and samosa.
The lunch and dinner are more extensive and offer a mix of Indian, Continental, and Oriental fare as well as a small selection of Middle Eastern food. All vegetarian, the menu planning team has made sure that there is something for everyone. The idea is also to ensure that guests can sample a variety of fresh food. One of the nights I was here, there was a special barbeque dinner as well, perfect for the chilly weather. Topped by a local, cultural dance performance, my day was complete.
Sights and sounds
If you are an early riser, there are morning yoga sessions that happen here. If the weather is not foggy (which is common in the winter here), take a morning walk around the campsite. You can see the serene flowing Ganga in all its majesty as well as spot a variety of birds, something that personally I loved. I sighted the river lapwing, hoopoe, pied kingfisher, sandpiper, myna and more on my walks here.
It goes without saying that you must attend the evening aarti at the Triveni Ghat. After all that’s what the camp is for. This aarti has a different vibe from the one in Varanasi as I also saw two women being part of the aarti. At the mela, do take a dip in the Triveni Sangam. The jüSTa team arranged a private boat from the Boat Club, and with seagulls for company, it was a surreal experience. At the sangam you can choose to do a puja (there are pundits available but be prepared to part with money) or simply take a dip in the river (mind you, the water is very cold).
Mela and more
Attending the Kumbh Mela is of course on the agenda, and it is a good idea to do this with a local guide. There are 13 major akhadas (or camps) that are home to Shaivite, Vaishnavite and other sects here. The largest akhada is the Juna Akhada, that also houses the Bookmark Resorts Naga Shivir, a campsite by the same group that has basic tents and food served from a Satvik Kitchen managed by the Mahamandaleshwar Ji. Here you can also meet with Shri Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Ji Maharaj for a chat that can be arranged by the jüSTa team with prior notice, subject to his availability. If you can, have a meal here – it is simple, wholesome, and full of flavour.
Heading to the mela site, I saw many Naga Sadhus and interacted with a few other sadhus. An interesting conversation with one of them (who has raised his hand up for six years) revealed that he has a Bachelor of Science degree but took asceticism because he felt it was his calling. If you are taking photographs, always ask for permission, this is why a guide is helpful as they can do it for you.
While attending the Kumbh, do stop at the Lete Hue Hanuman Ji Temple. It dates to the 17th century and has an idol of Lord Hanuman in sleeping form, which is quite rare. Another place that you can check out is the Anand Bhawan Museum that dates to 1927 and used to be the residence of the Nehru family. If you are planning a visit to the Kumbh, do it with a side of leisure. And jüSTa Shivir Jhusi is quite capable of making your experience memorable and magical.
LF Review: ★★★★
Coordinates: Shivir at Jhusi, Gram Bhadkar, Jhusi, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
