I am in my hometown to attend a ceremony organised post death of a relative. He was old and on bed for sometime, died peacefully.
Dr. Sharad drove me to Sangam… there are a lot of stories happening at that place even after Maagh Mela is over. Tried capturing those stories –
A Cucumber seller
A barber shop under a treePapaya vendor and makeshift shops in backdropOff season struggle and stress, little or no tourists. Difficult months till January 2019A pilgrim, all the way from KarnatakaA boy with baby PythonTwo girls posing as goddess
It has became a ritual for us (brother Balkrishan, Dr. Sharad and me) to travel together once every year, this trip happens in month of December or January from last 5-6 years.
I had planned it during new year earlier, but that could not happen as everyone was occupied during that time. Planning this trip every year is really challenging, I have to take family and drop them Allahabad first which depends on the fact that every one well and there is no school tests of kids, convincing Dr. Sharad to shut his clinic for a week is another challenge. Sometimes I think not to plan this at all, just pack the bag and go and leave rest to destiny.
MP especially Orchha has became our favorite destination, it has complete package in it, slow paced and very less crowded township, has great history of Bundela kings, ruins, rocky Betwa river, great food at Hotel Sheesh Mahal and cheap lodging at hotel (which I love when travelling without family).
Sharad was little agitated with Orchha and MP but somehow we dragged him in.
After spending a day at Allahabad, we started to Bhedaghat, spent a night there and then started to Pachmarhi, stayed at Orchha for one night.
I am sure MP will be out of option from next year onward and I will miss major part of these trip which is driving.
Oh yes! forgot to mention that my car has completed 100000 KM since I bought it. Its a kind of achievement that I drove so much in last 4 years.
Posting few moments which I collected during this our yearly ritual 🙂
Kids of Dad adopted family with their pets at village, AllahabadA sadhu at Sangam, AllahabadEvening at Dhoopgarh, PachmarhiA priest heading towards Raja Ram Temple, OrchhaA family in discussion, OrchhaDr Sharad, getting water spray after shave
Maha Kumbh Mela PreparationsA PilgrimA PilgrimA PilgrimA PilgrimGeneral View of Mela
A curious boyEvening at MelaShri Pilot Baba and his followers
Posting few photos of one my relatives, she is coming in this mela from past 13 years and doing “Kalpwaas“. Kalwaas is a holy stay in mela for the month of “Maagh“, during this time pilgrims performs holy rituals, eat one meal a day, give donations, take bath in holy river, sleep on floor and spend rest of their time praying to the God. Living in these makeshift houses is quite an experience :)…
Was wondering in Kumbh mela today evening, encounter this boy, we talked for some time, then I said “show your teeth” and got this genuine smile from him :)… he made my day for sure…
Its rare to get a genuine smile these days… I hope this will make you smile too … cheers … have a good day