Ganges Festival (Kumbha Mela)

[mamasharones]

I was wondering if any one has ever heard of this festival known as the largest spiritual gathering of humans ever. Every year over tens of millions of people make the pilgrimage to bathe in the river ganges.

Here's the link if you care to read about it --- It's very interesting! (http://www.gosai.com/maha-kumbha-mela/india-allahabad/1-kumbha-mela-book.html)

I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not you can bathe in the river ganges and still receive it's benefits if not on a holy day? Oh say about august?

[toman]

I think you stand a pretty good chance of catching a nasty disease by swimming in the ganges.

[mamasharones]

that's not the point.... the point is to clear yourself of all bad karma.... millions do it and if there was a significant risk people would notice. And you can't get sick by just puting water on your skin. If you drink it or put it in your ears then maybe. But they say all you need is three drops on your head to be purified.
if you happen to dying while at the ganges festival it is considered to be the best way to pass and direct passage to heaven.
over 30 million did it in 2001

[nappydread]

hey...
i think the most significant aspect of this festival in the lives of sadhus is the timing...as they are actually held every 3 years in different locations with the Allahabad location being every 12 years...

The twelve year cycle is related to the movement of the planet Jupiter through the zodiac, and when Jupiter enters Aquarius (Kumbha), the occasion is most auspicious. However, to complicate matters, it is also connected with solar cycles, the sun entering Capricornus or Aries...

I would think along the same lines as toman if you go bathe at an inappropriate time:)

peace

[toman]

Ok, I'll bite. Lets all go jump in a river with thirty million other sparkling clean human beings, so we can wash away all the bad karma. :bandit:

[mamasharones]

The thing I find humorous is that you think you're clean. We are just as dirty (minues a bit of sweat but that's not dirt) after you shower. With in hours you'er just as dirty as when you showered.

It's like saying you can't take communion at a catholic church because alcohol is bad for you.

[toman]

Oh I'm a filthy motherfucker, and proud of it! lol... :hippie:

[nappydread]

^^^ ...what he said!

hehehe....i do think we're all in agreement here....
1. we are ALL dirty hippies!
2. showers ARE bad!
3. alcohol IS bad!
4. bathing once every 12 years with 30 million others is GOOD!
...i think:confused:
:D
peace

[mamasharones]

LOL seee..... I knew you guys would come around!

[redthewitch75]

Well, if you are concerned of the risk of catching an infectious disease, check out the website for the Center of Disease Control. You can check risks for any region in the world. It is an interesting question for my Microbiology class, tho! :D

[redthewitch75]

It's like saying you can't take communion at a catholic church because alcohol is bad for you.

Well, I think being an alcoholic is required for being Catholic, no?
;) Damn, that's why they give you the wine!

[mamasharones]

LOL

yeah my bf and I asked his environment policies teacher about it

Since people are so poor around there they can afforc proper burial so they jsut toss dead bodies in there..... I guess there's worse things than catching your run of the mill diseases.... supposively there's many of the plagues that survive in those waters.....

I mean I guess you should think twice about it but I think I would still do it.... after all it is the belief that the powers of the waters will over come those diseases.

[nappydread]

I've had a movie recommended to me, but have yet to see it.
"Ganges: River to Heaven", 2003
there are some good web sites that describe the movie well.



Most hindus are cremated in a funeral pyre beside the ganges. Cremation anywhere along the Ganges is desirable. If that is not possible, then the relatives might later bring the ashes of the deceased to the Ganges. Sometimes, if a family cannot afford firewood for cremation, a half-burned corpse is thrown into the water.

Pyre exceptions are:


Young babies who have not yet been named, holy men and members of the Untouchables (the lowest Hindu caste) which are buried.

Some of the worst waterborn diseases are present in the ganges; dysentery, hepatits, and cholera. :vomit-smi

peace