'India is a melting pot of human diversity'

- Anon

And nowhere is it more obvious than in the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela. It is like a big ocean of humanity with waves of cultural diversity, yet the ocean and the waves are a single entity

India is a unique country and civilization, with its diversity and vibrancy; it is difficult to pinpoint any particular trait which can be classified as the flagship of Indian culture. With its multi-ethnicity, multilingual, multi cultural and multi socio-religious demography it is a remarkable achievement that India holds steadfast as a united democratic nation

India is the sum total of all the individual cultures contained in it. The Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela provides one with a glimpse of the entirety of Indian culture represented by almost all the states not only through religious institution, but culturally, ethnically and various forms of spiritual and fiscal participations

India is the only civilization which has an unbroken continuum of history and culture. Any processes, rituals, philosophies, experiences in India can only be a product of thousands of years of lineage

We at Kalpavasi with a holistic approach to Indology have devised packages to impart such experiences even while maintaining the need provide a pan-Indian perspective to your guests

There are many views about the glue that holds the diverse groups to the core of Indian culture. As already mentioned they is no single character, however a majority of the scholars believe that the way of life of the sub-continent is the key element which transgress all other social barriers like religion and language. To understand this unique Indian way of life, you must undergo the experience. There is no way it can be taught or shown vicariously

The system of learning even, has to be through the millennia old Guru-Shishya Parampara. Even to this day all the ancient traditional knowledge systems are imparted through the Guru-Shishya Parampara viz.

• Medicine - Ayurveda
• Dances - Bharata Nritya, Kuchupudi, Kathak, Odisi, Manipuri, Etc
• Singing - Gandharva vidya
• Philosophy - Darshana, Yoga
• Astrology - Jyotishya,
• Priesthood - Pourohitya, etc

The balancing of Tyaga and Bhoga, the respect for elders, the freedom to question and correct philosophy and religion, Sanskrit as the base language are some of the easily understandable commonness in this diverse singularity called India. You are not mistaken if you think all of the above are traits of Hinduism, then again Hinduism is not a religion at all but as mentioned a way of life

Coming to the important aspect of looking at the Kumbha Mela as a Mini-India, you have bear in mind that all cultures in India have a few common points which gets manifested in the practice of holy pilgrimage

The ritual of the pilgrimage itself is common but the finer details of going about the pilgrimage various from region to region. For example a pilgrim from Rajastan would come with entire family, sometimes numbering 30-40members and engage in indulgent gifting to the Sadhus, Kalpavasis and other lay pilgrims by hosting free lunches, organizing cultural events, constructing make shift temples or gifting cows to Brahmins, or horses and chariots to the high pontiffs of the Akhadas. While the Sikh pilgrims are forbidden to indulge in such extremities irrespective of their wealth, all are required to assist in the community service for seva of the Sadhus and the lay. Some Sikhs would be required to procure vegetables, some would cook, some serve it in langars, some other wash utensils, other sweep and keep the place clean, etc. Pilgrims from far off Assam would always ensure that they dress in red and white during the pilgrimage and carry at least a small vessel of the holy water back home

Most pilgrims also initiate Yagnas and Homas and Havans but insist on regional Purohits officiating these rituals, some even come along with their family priests

All in all one visit to the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela would be like an all India tour offering insights into the religious, spiritual, social and cultural aspects of all the subgroups of Indian civilization

One of the main aims of kalpavasi.com is to provide the guests with a complete range of the pan-Indian experience in one place