Allahabad and the pilgrimage
Allahabad is a city of about 1 million people to the west of Varanasi. It is the cite of a yearly pilgrimage from mid-January through mid-February. Every six years, the pilgrimage is VERY large. Unfortunately, Flat Kat and I are here for a smaller one because the large one happened last year. There are only about 10,000 pilgrims here this year!
When I have more time, I’ll try to upload some video showing the pilgrims bathing in the Sangam, a holy spot where the Ganges River and the Yamuna River (two of the seven holy rivers in India) merge into one river. It was a great experience as I walked around among the pilgrims and observed this holy ritual.
As it turns out, I was planning on leaving that afternoon (Mon 1/21), but I ran into some friends that I made in Varanasi, so I decided to stay another day. Their names are Malin (pronounced May-lin) and Allison, and they are an engaged couple from Canada. They have been traveling for a few months traveling in England, Turkey, some mid-Asian states like Georgia, Iran, Pakistan, and India. They had a ton of cool stories, so it was fun to hang out with them. Here’s a picture of them:
So, after I met up with them, I decided to stay another day. We went to see the religious festival (they hadn’t been yet), and then went to the Nehru house, where many of the important decisions of the Indian independence movement were made in the early 1900s, and where Indira Gandhi was born (she was a very important prime minister early on in India’s democracy).
Afterward, I caught a 5 hour train to Lucknow, where I currently am writing you from.
I’ll update you in a few days. Until then, GO GIANTS (I can’t believe we’re in the Superbowl and I haven’t been able to watch any of the playoff games!!).
You seem to be meeting many tourists along the way…any Americans? Are they vacationing or there on business?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! jan
My Reply
I have met many tourists, and VERY few Americans! It seems as though India is “not on the map” of places Americans go. I have met English, Swiss, Australians, Canadians, French, etc., but only 2 or three Americans – which is ok with me. After all, I didn’t come here to meet Americans!
In all seriousness, though, everyone I’ve spoken with has been interesting and warm. In fact, I spent my birthday with a couple of Canadians, with whom I had a great time. I have also met a lot of fantastic Indian friends.
Most foreigners I’ve met are here for travel and tourism, but that’s because of the places I’ve been staying, which cater to foreign travellers like myself. I’m sure there are many Westerners here for business.
Thanks for checking in!
Mr. Roberg,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Are you doing anything to celebrate it?
Glad you are meeting friends and are able to share this experience with some other people! I can’t wait to see the videos!
Question- how do people attend the pilgrimage and miss a month of work? Or do they not stay for the entire time?
Ms. Roberg
My Reply
GREAT question! Unfortunately, I don’t know the full answer, and am no longer in Allahabad to find out the answer, so I’ll try to ask someone here in Lucknow. As far as I know, people don’t stay for the entire month, but I’m sure it depends on their situation. Like all religious gatherings, there were wealthy, middle class, and many working class / peasant families all lumped together (and a fair number of religious leaders called sadus). I’m sure it depended on their situation, but I believe most of them worked it out to stay for a week or so.
I’ll have to find out for sure though.
Thanks for a great question… I’ll get back to you.
Only 10,000!!!! What a shame.
Oh, I think you spelt ‘hear’ wrong…shouldn’t it be ‘here’??
My Reply
I fixed it – thanks!
Leif,
Look for a question from my class in the next few days! We are studying continents and we’re looking forward to finding Roberg on our map and globe!
Michelle
Happy 1 day Belated Birthday GR,
Fantastic that you ran back into friends and extended your stay. How wonderful that your schedule allows that flexibility. You look like you’re getting younger in India instead of a year older. Perhaps now more Americans will be inspired to visit this fascinating and rejuvinating country!
Mr. Roberg,
You mentioned that the 10,000 pilgrims bathe in the Ganges River for a spiritual ritual, however, isn’t that the most polluted river in the world? Wouldn’t they get sick or have disease from bathing in the river?
My Reply
Actually, I found out that it is more like 100,000 pilgrims or more most years, but up to 1 million on the special (Kumb Mela) celebrations that happen ever 6 years.
In reality, the Ganges River is very polluted, but for Hindus that does not take away from the very important spiritual place the river holds in the religion. The Ganges is said to sprout from the head of one of the three most important gods in Hinduism, Shiva the Destroyer (the others are Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver).
I know it is difficult for Americans like us to understand, but the pollution plays no role in the mind of a pilgrim. The water is holy, and that is that. If someone bathes in the Ganges, especially at a holy site like the ghats (steps) in the city of Varanasi or the area where the Ganges and Yamura Rivers meet, they will wash away their sins. That doesn’t mean that they won’t be bathing in polluted water.
Think of it like swimming in the Hudson River years ago, which used to be much more polluted than it is now, for the purpose of being forgiven for EVERY sin you’ve ever committed. Now I know that your students are angels, and have never done anything wrong (right kids?
), but you, Ms. Roberg might benefit from a dip in the Ganges! 
Unfortunately, I can’t answer the question about getting sick from the Ganges, because I don’t know. I will try to ask around to find out the answer though.
Thanks for such a
terrific
question!
We’re just loving your blog entries!
Super Bowl festivities here in AZ are in overdrive – we’ll wave at any Giants we happen to see walking around
this sounds cool. have fun!