Haridwar Ardha Kumbh Mela (2016), A Trip to Haridwar

Haridwar Ardha Kumbh Mela (2016)

Haridwar on the auspicious event of Ardha Kumbh Mela (01.01.2016 – 30.04.2016). According to Hindu mythology, 'Ardh Kumbh Mela' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. Kumbha (meaning pot) Mela (meaning fair) is considered a very sacred Hindu pilgrimage. It takes place at the following four sacred places across India:

• Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh)

• Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
• Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)

• Nasik (Maharashtra)

BATHING GHATS IN HARIDWAR

• Har Ki Pauri         
• Asthi Pravath Ghat          
• Subhash Ghat            
• Gau Ghat                       
• Sapth Sarover Kshetra Ghat          
• Sarvanand Ghat           
• Pantdweep Ghat 
• Kangra Ghat         
• Roode Bale Wala Ghat     
• Ganesh Ghat             
• Varagi Camp Ghat    
• Sati Ghat     
• Daksheshwar Ghat  
• Singh Dwar Ghat        
• Sita Ghat
• Vishnu Ghat

My Journey at Haridwar (During Kumbha Mela: 2016):

Brief About Kumbha Mela

Rivers are considered to be the carriers of life and fertility. One of the festivals which are worth mentioning in this context is Kumbh Mela. This fair is perhaps the largest religious gathering in any religion around the world. The name Kumbh Mela consists of two words, the literal meaning of the name of the festival is, "Kumbh" which means a  pot, the word Kumbh also signifies a Hindu sun sign, Aquarius. The word Mela means a fair or a gathering.

This is a fair which is conducted at four different places of India on the banks of pious rivers. The places where the Mela is conducted are Haridwar, on the banks of river Ganges; Ujjain by the river Shipra; Nasik by the river Godawari and at Allahabad by the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati. During the festival the banks of these rivers become a large bathing ground for the rich, the poor, the sadhus and the women alike. For each place the Kumbh Mela repeats every 12 years, but in actuality there are four different Kumbh Melas which take place at different sites. For e.g. if the Kumbh Mela is taking place in Prayag in the year 2011 then the next Kumbh Mela will take place at Ujjain.

It is held every three years in each of the four different locations - Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain, returning to each of the four places after a gap of every twelve years. Besides the regular Kumbh Mela, an Ardha (half) Kumbh Mela takes place six years after the Maha Kumbh in each of the location. And how it lands up in each location varies according to what position the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter hold in that period in different zodiac signs.

It comes to Haridwar when Jupiter is in Aquarius and Sun is in Aries during the Hindu month of Chaitra i.e. in the month of March-April. In Allahabad it is celebrated in the month of January-February when Jupiter is in Aries or Taurus and Sun and Moon are in Capricorn during the Hindu month of Magha. In the Hindu month of Bhadraprada (August-September), when Sun and Jupiter are in Leo, Kumbh Mela comes to Nasik. And Ujjain gets to organize it when Jupiter is in Leo and Sun is in Aries, or when all three are in Libra during the Hindu month of Vaisakha i.e. April-May. 

Dairy of My Journey

09.02.2016: 

13009/Doon Express 

Travel Time: 32h 25m    

72 Halts     

Distance: 1510 km     

Avg Speed: 46 km/hr

This is a bad decision taking this Train for going to Haridwar. There are no of reasons for this:
1.    There is no Pantry Car in this train.
2.    72 halts (It feels irritating)
3.    Avg Speed 46 km/Hr

It’s better to choose Upasana Express (12327) or Kumbha Express (PT) (12369) for going to Haridwar from Howrah. 

10.02.2016: On the train; No option of Pantry or E-Catering.

11.02.2016:

Reached Haridwar 5m early & have hard that it departed 22m late from Haridwar. We are staying near Vishnu Ghat. When arrived at Haridwar at 04:50 hrs some Taxi/Auto drivers reached us for taking us to the Hotel. So I asked them to take me to my Hotel and ask them for price. They are saying 200 INR, but that is too much and they said that no it will take time to go at my Hotel which is far from Railway Station. Because I am accompanied with my old Father and Mother so I have to take one and bargain with him for 150 INR. It takes just 3 min drive to reach my hotel. Then I asked him why you tell me a lie that my hotel is very far from Station. Suddenly that persons behavior changed and he argues with cynical statements that “It’s early in the morning, where you find one”, “The contract was made and you have to pay” etc.

The point is place like Haridwar is not free from Goons. This place is a holy place but the Peoples are not Holy.

How to get rid of It : On the next day I made an experiment again I go to the station on 04:15 hrs and on that day train comes about 25m early nearly about 04:30 hrs; and I have a travel bag with me. After the rush of passengers exist nearly after 10-12 min I with my travel bag slowly exists from station and that time no one is come nearby be and the drivers are loading their vehicles, who have not got any passengers. I make my path to one of that driver and asked directly how much he will take me to my hotel (Same Hotel), and he says 150 INR and then I said him I will pay at max 30 INR and he refuses to go. So I passed by him and suddenly another driver came up and ask the same question; and this person have hard what I have offered to that driver so he reduces his price to 75 INR. That’s helps to build my confidence that I am on the right path. Again I offered the same amount to him and that time he agreed to that money. I by passed that person by loitering here and there.

So, the hands on rule is Go after rush is over always bargain 1/10th of what that person offered and raised upto max 10-20 INR of 1/10th. But keep patience and do not hurry may be refused by many people but if you want to save money wait for some time, and you will succeed.

Because we reached at Hardwar early in the morning, so 4 hrs rest made us energized, thank full to the climate also, very pleasant weather. Because of Kumbha places are free from dart and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan also going into full swing.

Break Fast: At around 8:30 hrs we went to Har ki Pauri for breakfast; again the attack started but here is one similarity they all are asking for same rate for Puri & Sabji (40 INR for 1 plate consist 4 puris / 10 INR for 1 piece).

This time I did not hurried, for finding some places I just gone to the right side of Har ki Pauri or towards Vishnu Ghat from Har ki Pauri; and my mission was a grand success there I find Puri & Sabji (20 INR for 1 plate consist 5 puris/5 INR for 1 piece).

After that we take the tour of Har ki Pauri, which is a great experience, all the Mandirs are well decorated because of the Ardha Kumbh Mela (2016). Water is exceptionally cleaned and the Sevaks/Volunteers of Mandirs are always cleaning all the Ghats. 

Lunch:

As Bengali personnel we are fond of “Dada Boudir Hotel, Haridwar” and this is the picture of that hoarding of the Hotel. The service boys are Bengalis but right now the hotel is running by non Bengali personnel. Last time when I went to “Dada Boudir Hotel” the price was 45 INR and now it’s 60 INR for the market hike which is acceptable. But the service and quality of food is demining the spirit of the name of “Dada Boudir Hotel”. The rice was served as cold and when we asked for hot they serve hot Dal and said that “Dal Gamram ache, tai die kheye nin” (“Dal is hot, so manage with it”), this is the first time I have heard this kind of approach in that hotel. Previously when I visited that place the place is full of people at all time but this time there are very few people visited that hotel. All the nostalgia has been lost during this visit. So for the next visitors I am telling, please kept aside the nostalgia of “Dada Boudir Hotel, Haridwar”  and venture others also like “Masir Hotel, Haridwar” or other “Dada Boudir Hotels”. There are many Bengali hotels where you can find good food with lesser price and with more options. 

Har Ki Pauri (Arati): After taking the lunch we came back to the Hotel and at evening around 05:00 hrs we went to Har ki Pauri ghat for seeing the arti; and it was Marvelous experience the Ghat is decorated beautifully and Arti ceremony was started at 06:00 hrs. I have taken some pictures, have a look

Pictures of Har ki Pauri Arati at Haridwar Ardha Kumbh Mela (2016)

Arti at Kumbha Mela 2016 (Haridwar)

Arti at Kumbha Mela 2016 (Haridwar) at Night

Arti at Kumbha Mela 2016 (Haridwar)from other side

We returned to the Hotel at about 09:00 hrs after taking diner and sleep.

12.02.2016:

The next day was Vasant Panchami, one of the Main Bathing (Snan), so we went at the Har ki Pauri Ghat and took the bath. The water was so cold that when first I was entered in the water, the lower portion of my body was just numb and I cannot even feel that it even exists. But with immense courage I took 12 dips in the holy water and all my body has been frozen and even rubbing my hands does not feel the body. Experience in bath inb such cold water is very good and charming.

Then we take a trip to Mansa Mandir and Chandi Mandir. It cost 234 per person (70 for Mansa Mandir Ropeway + 144 for Chandi Mandir Ropeway + 20 from Mansa Mandir to Chandi Mandir Auto Rickshaw).  Its matter of 2-3 hrs journey, and if you climb by foot then it will take more time depending upon your speed.

Now after the visit to Mandir we came back to Post office block and from there we went for the Haridwar site seeing. 

Kankhal Side	Haridwar Side
1.   Ardh. Nariswar Mandir 2.   Manav Kalyan Ashram 3.   Jagadguru Asram 4.   Geeta Mandir 5.   Harihar mandir 6.   Daksha Prajapati Mandir 7.   Maa Anandamayi Asram	1.   Pawan Dham 2.   Acharyabela 3.   Shri Ram Mandir 4.   Chitrakoot Ashram 5.   Mata VishnaDevi Mandir 6.   Bharat Mata Mandir 7.   Bhimgoda Mandir

If you go by conducted tour it will cost nearly about 700-800 INR for all and around 5-6 hrs time will be taken. But I suggest take a Rickshaw and bargain with him and it will cost 300 INR max for this for 1 rickshaw and do not think that you are suppressing one’s need, no it’s not the sites are so near if you reach at one place at any of the side the rest is 5-10 min walking distance. So if you wish to take journey by foot the total journey can be reduced to 40-50 INR (Only UP and Down).

I have taken some Pictures, and share it with you

I took this rickshaw at 150 INR for both side site visits, and His name is Ram Manohar.

Haridwar Rudraksha:  In Haridwar you will find at least 7 Rudraksha trees, at following locations : Mahamritnjaya Mandir, Anandamayee Maa Mandir, Gayetri Bhavan, Saptarshi Ashram etc. If you want to buy I will suggest go for Mahamritunjaya Mandir and collect 3 Mukhi Rudraksha at Rs.10 only. You will find only 3 mukhi Rudraksha in Haridwar.

In the Saptarshi Ashram you will find 1 Mukhi Rudraksha tree but they will not show you the tree and I am committed not to reveal the location.

I will reveal the story behind this; when I am at Saptarshi Ashram I was telling about Bramhans and Saptarshi Rishis heard that one of Sanyasi asked me one question and answered that question and he never hard that answer and is so amazed to here that and on reward I am permitted to see it with a oath not to reveal the location.

The question is: “Tum Kab Se Bramhan Ho” (From when you are Bramhin)

Answer: The typical answer was when my “Janeu Sanskar” (upnayan-sanskar) took place. But my answer was

 “Yavat Meru Sth’ita Deva| Yavat Ganga Mahi Tale| Chandra Ku Gagane Yavat| Tabo Bipra Kule Bayam”

“Means From when Sumeru and Kumeru belongs, from when Ganga is flowing, from when Chandra (Moon) belongs in the sky, from that time I am Bramhan.”

He never heard this shloka before, so his utter happiness took me to that tree also I have got one 1 Mukhi Rudrakha from him. After asking I will also share the picture of Rudrakha with you.

13.02.2016:

On the next day we went to Rishikesh to see Ram Jhula & Laksman Jhula that was ok type experience it take 1500 INR for a 14 seat car and after that  we came back to home and usually went to Har ki Pauri ghat for seeing the arti.

14.02.2016:

On the next day we went to Delhi for returning to Kolkata.

That all readers for now, but one thing I must share, while return from Rishikesh my brother feel severe pain in his stomach, so we went to Hardwar Hospital near post office chowk. They are really humble people. They treated my brother promptly with utmost care all the Doctors and support staffs are so co-operative. This is one of my best experience in the Hardwar and the treatment and the medicines are given absolutely free of cost.

Thanking  you for reading, please comment, and share it with others

 Hari Om Tatsat

   Tanmoy Banerjee