Journey
INDIA

I was fortunate to experience India twice, once for the Kumbha Mela in 2013 and once in 2016 in order to hike in the Himalayas to the source of the Ganges River (known also as Mother Ganga). 

 

It was here that I began to understand what it is to “live” a belief.  It was here that I healed my soul, cleansed my mind, and began to grasp the power of a spiritual experience that took me to the deepest part of my spirit.  This was where a transformation took place for me. 

 

It became clear to me here, the meaning of Yoga as an experiential journey.  I asked my hut mates what they were going to say when people from home asked “How was India?”.  We then realized that we could talk about things like our visit to the Taj Mahal, or the bustling city markets,  but there really were not any concrete and clear  answers as to our experience.  This trip was a transformation from within, which unless you experience, it would be hard to comprehend. 

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That was the true gift of India. 

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In 2013, I went with the Himalayan Institute to Allahabad, where we stayed in their Ashram within walking distance to the Kumbha Mela.  Also known as the Kumbh, it is an incredible experience for travelers who visit India. Every twelve years, Hindus from all over the world travel to the holy city of Prayagraj to take part in this incredible religious gathering.  During the Mela, pilgrims take a holy dip at the confluence of three sacred rivers: the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

This spiritual journey is an unforgettable experience for those who attend.

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Along with the spiritual aspects of the Mela, there are also countless cultural attractions to explore. Food stalls, music, puppet shows, and folk dances come alive in the bustling atmosphere of the Kumba Mela. We also explored the many temples and shrines, and learned about the ancient 

traditions of the region. Favorite moments included sitting on the banks of the River at sunset, walking with the pilgrims at the Kumbha Mela, and the trek in the Himalayan Mountains to the source of the Ganges River. The next Maha Kumbh is 2025.  

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In 2016, I went back with the Himalayan Institute for a pilgrimage where we hiked in the Himalayan Mountains to the source of the Ganges River.  This was the most physically challenging trip I have ever done.  We slept in tents where the nights went down to 27 degrees F.  Also difficult was the altitude of 12000 feet. When I finally arrived at the Glacier, I realized very quickly that the value in this trip was not the sight of the source, but the journey to get there. 

 

And as with all my trips, the reflections and insights continue to come.