Kumbha Mela 2001 (see our website at www.kumbhamela2001.org)

[Guest guest]

Gearing Up for Kumbha Mela at Prayag

 

Next January, from the 9th and running for one month, is the first Maha

Kumbha Mela of the New Millenium. At the last Maha Kumbha Mela of Prayag in

1989, the 5 acre ISKCON camp was the talk of the Mela. Wherever I went, I

heard people talking about the ISKCON Camp.

 

Ten exciting dioramas, made on site by skilled artisans from Bengal,

attracted everyone's attention depicting the pastimes of Lord Krishna, Lord

Ramachandra, and Lord Chaitanya. The arrow even flew from Rama's

transcendental bow to the heart of Ravana.

 

Senior devotees and Sannyasis lectured morning and evening in a huge

colorful pandal. Other times native Brijabasi troupes performed enchanting

dramas of Krishna Lila attracting thousands of pilgrims.

 

Besides book distribution at our camp, devotees with push carts and book

bags spread out over the Mela Area distributing the real nectar, Srila

Prabhupada's books. Even the ladies had a very fired up team.

 

Hundreds of thousands of plates of prasad were distibuted, inspiring one

person staying in our camp to make a huge donation not only for massive

distribution on the main bathing day, but for distributing Srila

Prabhupada's books to the mahants of all the camps at the mela. Every night

the line seemed endless waiting for our famous hot haleva.

 

And of course there was our daily Hare Nama Sankirtan Party. Hundreds of

devotees from all parts of the world joined in the most ecstatic Sankirtan

on the planet. They were accompanied by the very merciful Gaura Nitai

Deities riding on the Padayatra bullock cart. One newspaper even commented

that the River Sarasvati was the ISKCON Kirtan Party flowing through the

camp giving joy to all the pilgrims.

 

Our success was all the devotees of the different yatras of India,

selflessly joining together in inspired cooperation. The Mela of '77 with

Prabhupada present was not really to his satisfaction due to our

inexperience. But in '89, everyone felt Srila Prabhupada's presence and we

knew he was smiling down on us for putting up such an impressive camp.

 

First Planning Meeting Held

 

Last month we had an all India meeting to start planing for Kumbha Mela

2001. The best news was that ritviks decided to pull out of the planning

committee. As the spectre of politics at the mela disapeared, soon the magic

of '89 began to flow as we evolved a very effective and enthusiastic team to

actually organize the camp. Deena Bandhu Prabhu and Sarvabhauma Prabhu were

elected as co-presidents. Mahamantra (Delhi) and Sura Dasa (Bombay) were

elected vice-presidents in charge of accommodations and Sura Dasa in charge

of stage programs. Radharaman (Vraja Mandal Parikrama) and Sanat Sanandan

(Padayatra) were elected vice-presidents in charge of the camp. Bhima and

Rupa Raghunatha (Vrindavan) are in charge of Prasad Distribution. Jagjivan

(Mira Road) was elected vice-president in charge of book distribution.

 

Bhima and Rupa Raghunatha said their goal was to collect 30 lakhs for Prasad

Distribution. They also promised to feed all the devotees and guests in the

camp. Already Radha Jivan Prabhu from Alachua has promised 6 lakhs for this.

Jagjivan said he was going to get sponsors so we can do massive ditribution

at the mela at prices the villagers will be able to afford.

 

Immediately we visited Allahabad and met with the Mela Officer, Jivesh

Nandan, and made our application for a 10 acre plot. As we could see, the

Ganga is still flooded and it will be some time before they know where she

will settle. Until that time, they cannot make a map and allot sites. Still

he was very impressed with our presentation.

 

Come and Join!

 

The main bathing days are:

 

Jan 9th Pausa Purnima

Jan 14th Makara Sankranti

Jan 24th Mauni Amavasya (Main Snana)

Jan 29th Vasant Pancami

Feb 8th Magh Purnima

Feb 21st Maha Shivaratri

 

Our camp will run for the entire month of January. For any devotees who want

to do service, book distribution, harer nama, prasad distribution, or

preaching, we will have free accommodations with warm blankets and free

prasadam. We'll have separate tents for ladies also. So please come and join

the largest religious festival on Earth.

 

People have commented that it may be too austere, but I was there in '89.

The towspeople of Allahbad were envious that in the Kumbha Camp, we had

better electric supply and purer water. There was literally an army of

sweepers to keep the place clean. Somehow it was all very well managed which

is pretty amazing for India.

 

Accommodations

 

If you want your own private tent, we will be putting up a tent city of

Swiss Cottage Tents. They have a large area in the middle, and two side

rooms and can accommodate up to 6-7 persons. They come equipped with

electric lights, cots, warm bedding, and attached bath with hot water. On

the main bathing days, no vehicles are allowed in or near the Mela Area.

Rates are thus based on 3 days including one day before and after. For one

Swiss Cottage Tent which can fit up to 6 persons, it will be US$300 for 3

days. This includes full prasadam as well. On the non-peak days it will be

around US$25 per tent per day.

 

There are 4 bathing days for which we are accepting reservations:

 

Jan 9th Pausa Purnima

Jan 14th Makara Sankranti

Jan 24th Mauni Amavasya (Main Snana)

Jan 29th Vasant Pancami

 

Any reservation made for one of these days includes the day before and the

day after. The rate for for a tent that can fit up to 6 persons is US$300

for *3 days*.

 

For making reservations, one can contact Sura Dasa Prabhu at

surdas.gkg (AT) pamho (DOT) net

or make reservations online at our website

www.kumbhamela2001.org

 

To make it convenient for payment since I know people will afraid of sending

money to India, so far the arrangements are as follows:

 

VISA and MasterCharge Accepted

 

Vishnu Murti of Bhaktivedanta Library Services has offered the facility of

accepting VISA and MasterCharge cards:

 

Fax to ++32 86 322 029 the following information or send it via e-mail to

visnu.murti (AT) pamho (DOT) net

 

Name of Card: Visa (for example)

Number of Card: 1234 1234 1234 1234

Expiry date: 01/09

Name on the card: Mr. K Krsnadas

 

e-mail address: john (AT) tom (DOT) com

mailing address: 16 top street, 4503 New York USA

telephone number: 1 312 3456 7890

 

For North America

 

Send drafts payable to ISKCON to:

Rama Bhadra

ISKCON

Kumbha Mela Reservation

305 Schermerhorn St.

Brooklyn, NY 11

 

Please mention your full name and that this is for Kumbha Mela accommodation

in your cover letter.

Note: Donations to ISKCON are tax deductible.

 

For Europe

 

Bhaktivedanta Library Services has agreed to accept payments. They have five

accounts in different countries, so that those who live in those countries

will not have to pay foreign transfer fees. All other countries must send

their payments to the Belgian Account. Those who send payments from other

countries must find out what the transfer fees that will be deducted in

Belgium BESIDES the fee charged by their bank and include this in the

payment. Otherwise this fee will be collected when you come to Kumbha Mela.

 

You should give "Mela2001" as the reference when sending the payment via the

bank along with "Your Name". Separately contact via e-mail, fax, or letter

confirming that money has been sent.

 

Belgium

Credit Communal,

Boulevard Pacheco 44

1000 Brussels, Belgium

Swift: GKCCBEBB

Account Name: Bhaktivedanta Library Services

Account Number: 068-2207323-18

 

England

Bank: Barclays

Bank Code: 20-44-90

Account No: 50490296

Account Name: W. Barriball

 

France

Banque: SNVB

Code Banque: 30087

Code Guichet: 00013

Cle:25

Titulaire de Compte:BLS

No. de Compte: 0394241345Y

 

Germany

Bank:Voba Kreis Berg

Bank Code: 509 914 00

Account Name: BLS, H.Treutlein

Account Number: 3026 2905

 

Holland

Postbank

City: Maastricht

Account Name: Bhaktivedanta Library Services

Account Number: 7545570