Among the wandering monks of India, Swami Vivekananda is the first name that comes to the mind. The five years of his life on earth, from 1888 to 1893 was full of travels in search of truth, spirituality and a real India. He traveled as a Parivrajaka along the length and breadth of the country. He won the admiration of kings, felt for the suffering people, motivated the youth for a greater cause, studied many religious scriptures, visited many historic sites, gained knowledge, and visualized the future of India during his itinerary, which made a precious treasure of enlightenment for us. On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s birthday (January 12), we at Travel Beats, an overseas Indian community portal by Indian Eagle, offer a sneak peek into his historic and spiritual travels.

Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in India, was the first destination on his itinerary. In Varanasi, he came across the saints like Trailanga Swami, the authors like Bhudev Mukhopadhyay, and the Vedic scholars like Babu Pramadadas Mitra. From there, he made his way to Rishikesh through Ayodhya, Lucknow, Agra and Vrindavan. He interacted with and took favor from whoever came his way without caring their castes and creeds because he believed in non-duality of the soul. Some of those who were touched by his noble soul became his disciples and got initiated into service to the nation. Among them was Sharat Chandra Gupta, a railway station master in Haridwar, who came to be known as Swami Sadananda. Swamiji fondly called Sharat “the child of my spirit”.

Then, Swamiji spent days at Vaidyanath and Allahabad during his itinerary between 1889 and 1890. From Allahabad, he moved to Ghazipur where he got in touch with Pavhari Bana, a great sage. Pavhari Baba was known for his absolute knowledge of Advaita Vedanta. On meeting the sage, he felt blessed and referred to him as a great soul of bhakti and yoga in a letter to Pramadababu. In the first half of 1890, he took a break for the travel and returned to Baranagar Math in Kolkata (then Calcutta). After a short stay there, he left for a trip to the Himalayas in quest of truth. Swami Akhandananda accompanied him on the trip. After a visit to Nainital, Almora, Dehradun and Srinagar, Swamiji went to the Himalayas. Delhi was his destination by the end of January in 1891.

He visited the historical sites in and around Delhi. Then, his travel to Rajputana in west India began. This phase of the itinerary was so eventful that it constituted a big chapter of his biography. The first stopover in Rajputana was Alwar where he received a cordial welcome from both the Hindus and the Muslims. They were influenced by this wandering monk’s spiritual values and teachings. Swamiji was invited by Mangal Singh, the King of Alwar, who did not believe in the practice of idol worship because of his western outlook. A meeting with Swamiji changed his attitude towards the idol worship by the Hindus.

Swamiji’s Rajasthan travel was full of learning too. He studied Panini’s Ashtadhyayi under the tutelage of a Sanskrit Scholar in Jaipur. He visited the Dargah Sharif in Ajmer. His meeting with Ajit Singh, the King of Khetri in Mount Abu on June 4, 1891, is another important event. Out his interest in spirituality, the King became a follower of Swamiji and supported him in many ways. Swamiji studied Mahabhasya during his stay at Khetri and then, he went to Gujarat.

Limbdi, Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Kutch, Porbander, Dwaraka, Baroda, Palitana and Girnar were among his destinations in Gujarat. The Gujarat travel was full of enlightenment for him. He studied the Jain scriptures there. He got the idea of preaching Vedanta in the Western World from Thakur Saheb Jaswant Singh who he came across in Limbdi. Haridas Viharidas Desai, the Diwan of Junagadh, welcomed him as a respected guest. Impressed by his personality, the Diwan used to discuss on different topics with Swamiji till late at night. Swamiji immersed himself in philosophical studies during his nine-month long stay at Porbander. At Kathiawar in Gujarat, he got to know about the Parliament of the World’s Religions.

Then, he visited Mahabaleshwar and Pune. While traveling by train in Bombay in 1892, Swamiji happened to meet Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a Nationalist in the Freedom Movement of India. They spent a few days together in Pune. He moved to Panaji in Goa from Maharashtra, and studied the Christian theology at a convent in Goa.

In the second half of 1892, he journeyed to Bangalore, his first destination in South India. There, he met the Diwan of Mysore who described him as “a magnetic personality with a divine force”. Swamiji was introduced to Chamaraja Wodeyar, the then King of Mysore and welcomed cordially to the Palace. He was further introduced to the Diwan of Cochin. His travel continued till he reached the southernmost part of India, Kanyakumari, on foot through Trissur, Ernakulam, Trivandrum, and Nagercoil. The meditation on the future of India, at the Kanyakumari Rock, was the culmination of Swamiji’s spiritual journey at the end of 1892.

Having had the vision of an individual India, Swamiji traveled to Madurai, Rameswaram, Pondicherry and Madras (now Chennai) in the beginning of 1893. He met Ramnad Bhaskara Sethupathi, the then King of Madurai, who approached him with an urge to participate in the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Swamiji won the admiration of whoever came in touch with him during the itinerary across Tamil Nadu. Most of them became disciples and responded to his call for renunciation in service to the nation. One of his most ardent disciples in South India was Alasinga Perumal who collected funds for Swamiji’s voyage to Chicago by going from door to door. Swami Vivekananda embarked on the historic voyage to America on May 31, 1893.

Swamiji’s travel continued from America to the rest of the world till the demise of his mortal body on July 4, 1902. However, the journey of this greatest Indian traveler is as ceaseless as the eternal flow of time. It is still on the go through the spread of his message, teachings, values and vision

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No doubt, India is full of incredible sights, stories and spots from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. But, what is the most incredible about India? The Kumbh Mela – the confluence of religious faith, cosmic energy, ethereal power and divine love on earth. Also known as Magh Mela, this religious festival of India is believed to be as old as the universe itself. A whopping 15 million visitors are expected to turn up at the ongoing Kumbh Mela 2019 at Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh.

Kumbh Mela 2019: Budget, Revenues, Facilities and Other Amazing Facts

The state government of Uttar Pradesh allocated INR 4200 crore for Kumbh Mela 2019, which is over thrice the budget for the Maha Kumbh 2013. It is expected that the economic activities to be taking place over the 50 days will generate a whopping revenues of INR 1.2 lakh crore and create employment for over 6 lakh workers in various sectors. The budget of Kumbh 2019 is six times more than the Rs. 720cr Isha Ambani wedding in December 2018.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2019 at Prayagraj sprawls over 3,200 hectares, twice the size of the area allocated to the previous Kumbh events. Allahabad City has undergone a massive infrastructure overhaul, which includes the upgrading of nine railways stations and the construction of a new airport terminal. More than 4,200 premium tents have been setup across the fairground, and 40,000 street lights have been installed across the city. The state government has installed 1, 22,000 eco-friendly toilets for the convenience of millions of pilgrims. A new 100-bed central hospital has been set up to attend to emergency medical needs of devotees.

The hospitality sector is reported to have employed 2, 50,000 people, including 150,000 jobs in aviation. 45,000 jobs have been generated for tour operations. The number of employment opportunities in eco-tourism and medical tourism is nearly 85,000. In addition, another 55,000 new jobs have been created in the unorganized sector for tour guides, taxi drivers, interpreters, volunteers, etc. to make a living during Maha Kumbh 2019. The festival will have created 600,000 jobs until a few weeks following March 4, according to Fortune India. 

Evidently, it is not just difficult but impossible to imagine the gigantic proportions of Maha Kumbh 2019 unless you travel on cheap last minute flights to India and visit the event in person. There are many interesting things to know about Kumbh Mela, beyond the budget of Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj this year. We at Travel Beats, an overseas Indian community portal by Indian Eagle Travel, mined some amazing and lesser-known facts about Kumbh Mela from 640 AD to the present.

The streets of Prayagraj are transformed into a work of art with 300 resplendent murals. Important episodes of the Hindu mythology like Kshirasagara Manthana were recreated on the parapets of Prayagraj. #KumbhMela2019 #StunningMurals #ExploreIndia #Exclusive pic.twitter.com/6Bqqutpt3t

— Indian Eagle (@indianeagle) January 10, 2019

Awesome, Interesting, Lesser-known Facts about Kumbh Mela

The origin of Kumbh is associated with the mythical story of Samudra Manthan, a massive sea exploration on earth by the Devas and the Asuras in the divine era of India. A pitcher filled with amrita, the elixir of immortality, came out of the core of the sea during the exploration. When the Devas and the Asuras, driven by a desire to be blessed with immortality, got into a clash over the pitcher, four drops of amrita fell at Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik which became the venues of Kumbh Mela.

The most spectacular ceremony to behold during the festival is ritual bathing on the banks of the holy rivers – the Ganga in Haridwar, the Kshipra in Ujjain, the Godavari in Nashik, and the Sangam where the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati get merged in Allahabad. It is believed that each of these rivers turns into a pitcher of amrita (nectar) on different days of the festival – Makar Sankranti, Paush Purnima, Basant Panchami, Rath Saptami, Mauni Amavasy, and Bhisma Ekadeshi.

This religious fair is held over a sprawling area of 50.83 square kilometers. The premise of the Kumbh Mela is 200 times larger than the Vatican City of Rome, the smallest country in the world.

Such a large number of sadhus (hermits) visit Kumbh Mela 2019 that it won’t be unjust to call it the fair of sadhus. Several groups of sadhus from every nook and corner of India travel all the distance to take a holy dip into the sacred rivers during the festival. The Nagas who stay naked from head to toe, the Parivrajakas who do not speak a single word to pursue absolute silence, the Kalpavasis who take bath at three different times of the day, the Urdhwavahurs who believe in severe austerity, and the Shirshasins who meditate for long hours while standing on their heads.

If the clock is set back, we find a reference to the number of devotees at Prayag Kumbh Mela, in the writings of Hiuen Tsang, a historic traveler from China, who visited India during the regime of Harshavardhana in 640 AD. Hiuen Tsang mentioned in his chronicle that the Kumbh Festival had fetched 5 million footfalls to Prayag in 640AD when Indian population was around 6 crore.

Impressed with the colossal dimensions of the Kumbh Mela 2019, Harvard University is looking to take on it as a case study. The researchers at Harvard University are interested in studying the economics behind the festival and analyzing the statistics of its evolution.

Mark Twin, a famous American writer, visited India during the Kumbh Mela in 1895. He was so overwhelmed to see the practice of austerity by millions of Indians including the young and the old, the strong and the frail, the rich and the poor traveling from remote corners of the country that he called it the wonderful power of a faith beyond imagination.

There is a great demand for mud and cow dung among the devotees during the festival. The sale of these natural commodities goes up with the festival reaching its peak. It is a golden opportunity for money-making individuals to make a quick buck by selling mud and cow dung at unreasonable prices. Kumbh Mela has got many nicknames for its fame spread far and wide across the world. The most popular are the largest pilgrimage on earth, the world’s biggest fair, and the greatest show on earth.

So huge is the rush of people traveling to Allahabad for the Prayagraj Kumbh 2019 is that Indian Railways extended the window for buying unreserved train tickets up to 15 days. Hundreds of special trains are running to and from Allahabad. Even, thousands of tickets have been booked for last minute air travel to India from USA, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. “We have been receiving an influx of calls with booking queries for cheap flights tickets to India for Kumbh 2019. It’s overwhelming!” exclaimed the chief travel economist of Indian Eagle.

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India has been the cradle of yoga and meditation for ages. People from across the world travel to India in quest of peace as well as spirituality that connection with the inner self, the soul and the universe ensures through yoga and meditation. From the Himalayas region to Kanyakumari, India is home to several yoga and meditation retreats which have cured many weary minds, calmed many agitated minds, and set many distracted minds in the right direction. Indian Eagle lists some of the best yoga and meditation centers where you seek rejuvenation of the mind, peace of the soul, knowledge of the self, and discovery of the inner strength.       

Ramana Maharshi Ashram, Tiruvannamalai 

One of the best destinations for yoga in the solitude of mountains is Ramana Maharshi Ashram in Tiruvannamalai. Situated at the foothills of the sacred Mountain Arunachala, the ashram is blessed with the spiritual power of nature. The sage Ramana Maharshi, founder of the ashram, recommends yoga and meditation as paths to the freedom of the body and the mind from physical bounds as well as mental blocks. Sprawling over a large area, the ashram has got suitable ambiance for dedicated practice of yoga and meditation. The chanting of slokas in the background adds sonority to the atmosphere that helps visitors meditate deeply on their inner selves.

Website: Sriramanamaharshi.org

Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Ashram, Uttarakhand

This ashram in Dwarahat is the ultimate destination for the followers of Kriya Yoga. Its location amidst picturesque landscapes in the surrounding has made Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Ashram an ideal venue for the pursuit of yoga. Yoga is taught as a method of self-realization here. Founded by Sri Daya Mata, the ashram is associated with the Self Realization Fellowship foundation, set up by Paramahansa Yogananda who has authored the classic book “Autobiography of a Yogi”. Those who are members of Yogoda Satsanga Society and Self Realization Fellowship are provided with accommodation.

Website: Yssofindia.org

Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh 

Rishikesh in the Himalayan region is the cradle of yoga and meditation in India. Thousands from across the world visit Rishikesh to learn the art and science of yoga every year. Parmarth Niketan Ashram which hosts International Yoga Week in March is one of the best places for yoga and meditation in Rishikesh. Situated near the holy Ganga River, the ashram is a complete hub of professional yoga and meditation practices in sync with the age-old traditions maintained by saints and monks. Parmarth Niketan Ashram is a haven of peace because of its scenic and serene location.

CLICK International Yoga Week 2015 for details

Website: Parmarth.com

Santosh Puri Yoga Ashram, Haridwar

Some of the foreigners on visit to India in quest of spirituality stay back in Rishikesh for the rest of their lives. The founder of Santosh Puri Yoga Ashram in Haridwar is originally a national from Germany. She is fondly called Mataji by the locals and visitors in Haridwar. Vibrant with sacred chanting and holy hymns in mornings and evenings, the atmosphere of the ashram is full of positive vibes for yoga practitioners. Santosh Puri Yoga Ashram is recommended for hatha yoga and yoga philosophy.

Website: Sanatansociety.org

Atma Darshan Yogashram, Bangalore

If you ever fly to Bangalore, make sure to visit Atma Darshan Yogashram. A center of the Bihar School of Yoga, the ashram works to spread the holy teachings of Swami Satyananda. Small but beautiful, the ashram offers non-residential yoga courses from Monday to Saturday. Residential yoga courses are also available, but there are limited seats.

Website: Atmadarshan.org      

The Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore 

An international center of yoga and meditation, the Art of Living in Bangalore is one of the most popular destinations for spiritual seekers. A favorite of foreigners in search of peace and spirituality, the ashram runs several philanthropic activities besides yoga and meditation in India. Sprawling over 65-acre areas on top of the Panchagiri Hills, the ashram campus consists of gardens and organic farms. People from different religions and cultures are welcome here.

Website: Artofliving.org

Isha Yoga Center, Tamil Nadu

An ideal retreat for rejuvenation of the mind and the body, Isha Yoga Center in Tamil Nadu has been offering yoga programs for two decades. Located at the foot of the Velliangiri Mountains in Coimbatore, the center is a popular seat of Isha yoga in India. The yoga-intensive programs, conducted by this non-profit organization, are focused on physical health and mental wellness.

Website: Ishafoundation.org

Tushita Meditation Center, Himachal Pradesh 

Tushita Meditation Center in Dharamsala is the place to reconnect with your inner being in the solitude of peace. The way of learning yoga and meditation in India is very simple here. This small organization is blessed with peace and spirituality for its serene location in the Himalayan region. The atmosphere of the place is powerful enough to calm the mind and free it from negative thoughts or worries that take a toll on mental health.

Website: Tushita.info

March 1 to 7 is the schedule of International Yoga Week 2015 in Rishikesh, India. Book your AIR TRAVEL to INDIA at the lowest prices on IndianEagle.com. The earlier you book, the cheaper flight you get.  

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The Ministry of Tourism India is planning to introduce luxury tourism on the Ganga River from Haridwar to Hooghly. The plan to initiate luxury tourism on water is part of the initiative to rejuvenate the riverfront of major cities including Haridwar, Allahabad, Varanasi, Kanpur, Patna and Kolkata. It is an ambitious venture to build sustainable tourism on international levels.

The Ganga River has been home to major pilgrimage spots, a haven of religious festivals, an inspiration for cultural initiatives and a resource for industries till date. Luxury cruises and floating hotels are going to be attractions of the Ganga River tourism for the first time, in India. The projects, once executed successfully, will generate multiple employment opportunities and impressive revenues for the Government of India.

Luxury river cruise tourism is a western trend that the Ministry of Tourism India is looking to cash in on. Thousands of foreign tourist arrivals to Haridwar, Varanasi and Kolkata happen every year. Short-distance cruise trips on the Ganga River between Varanasi and Patna will be like icing on cake for foreign tourists and NRIs in North India.

River cruise tourism is being designed with aquatic ecosystem and environment in view. Cruises will integrate modern facilities like bio-toilets to ensure sustainability of environment. Another highlight of the riverfront rejuvenation plan is introducing floating hotels. Sound & light and laser shows at Haridwar, Rishikesh and Varanasi will make stay at floating hotels on the river an absolute joy. These shows will introduce tourists to the history, culture and life of these Indian cities.

The riverfront of Rishikesh, Allahabad, Haridwar and Varanasi is mostly frequented for religious ceremonies and festivals including Ganga Dussehra Festival and Ganga Mahotsav Ceremony. The Ministry of Tourism has also proposed to make the information of these religious festivals available to tourists through the use of apps for mobile devices – smartphones and tablets. The information will be disseminated in three Indian languages – Hindi, Bengali and Gujarati, and in a few foreign languages.

The Ministry is also looking to mitigate concerns about such basic facilities as transport and accommodation for tourists in the riverfront cities. The transport systems will be improved. The bed and breakfast accommodation plan will be introduced to these cities. More, the Ministry will approach renowned religious institutions to hold yoga and meditation events on the banks of the Ganga River in order to align luxury tourism, divine tourism and wellness tourism.

Get cheap flight tickets to India and experience luxury, divine & wellness tourism on the sacred banks of the River Ganga. Only IndianEagle.com offers cheap air tickets from international airlines.

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In Hinduism, the river Ganga is a manifestation of the Divine. An inseparable part of the religious life and faith in India, this holy river has been nourishing the cultural being and contributing to the agricultural prosperity of the country for ages. To say in brief, the Ganga symbolizes spirituality, purity, enlightenment, enrichment and fertility. Those who read English literature might have found a mention of the river in the Paradise Lost, an epic poem by John Milton.

No wonder, why some of the festivals in North India are dedicated to religious ceremonies for the Ganga. One such festivity celebrating the glory of the river is Ganga Dussehra which is held on the banks of the river in the holy cities: Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayag and Varanasi. Gangavataran is another name of the festival held for 10 days in the month of June. The last day of the festival witnesses a grand ceremony, crowds of devotees, chanting of the Vedic shlokas and several religious practices.

The word “Gangavataran” means the descent of the Ganga. As per the Hindu Mythology, the river Ganga had descended on earth from the heaven, the abode of gods and goddesses. From this perspective, Ganga Dussehra is supposed to be a festive celebration of the river’s birthday. However, the festival is observed with much enthusiasm and fervor. It is preceded by grand preparations.

You might wonder what the biggest draw of this North Indian festival is. It is the glittering spectacle of the Ganga aarti on the ghats (concretized river banks) in the evening when thousands of diyas (earthen lamps) are lit, the bells of temples are rung and the shlokas (hymns) are chanted in chorus. Though the Ganga aarti is part of the daily worshiping of the river, it is a marvelous sight to catch on the festive days of Ganga Dussehra.

The ambiance of the ghats of Rishikesh, Varanasi and Haridwar, overflows with spells of enchantment. A numinous air floods the entire environment. The ghats are illumined with lamps in the dark, and the banging sound of conch shells is echoed all over. It seems that the divine blessings are showered over devotees.

Ganga Dussehra is scheduled on June 18 this year.

Visit either of Rishikesh, Haridwar and Varanasi on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, see the divine India and get blessed. IndianEagle will book your trip to Haridwar, Rishikesh and Varanasi at the lowest airfare. Cheap air tickets are available on IndianEagle.com.

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