Darshan, or viewing, is an important part of the Kumbh Mela.
People make the pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela specifically to observe and experience both the religious and secular aspects of the event.
Two major groups that participate in the Kumbh Mela include the Sadhus (Hindu holy men) and pilgrims.
Through their continual yogic practices the Sadhus articulate the transitory aspect of life.
Sadhus travel to the Kumbh Mela to make themselves available to much of the Hindu public.
This allows members of the Hindu public to interact with the Sadhus and to take "darshan."
They are able to "seek instruction or advice in their spiritual lives."
Darshan focuses on the visual exchange, where there is interaction with a religious deity and the worshiper is able to visually "'drink' divine power."
The Kumbh Mela is arranged in camps that give Hindu worshipers access to the Sadhus.
The darshan is important to the experience of the Kumbh Mela and because of this worshipers must be careful so as to not displease religious deities.
Seeing of the Sadhus is carefully managed and worshipers often leave tokens at their feet.
Darshan, or viewing, is an important part of the Kumbh Mela. People make the pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela specifically to observe and experience both the religious and secular aspects of the event. Two major groups that participate in the Kumbh Mela include the Sadhus (Hindu holy men) and pilgrims. Through their continual yogic practices the Sadhus articulate the transitory aspect of life. Sadhus travel to the Kumbh Mela to make themselves available to much of the Hindu public. This allows members of the Hindu public to interact with the Sadhus and to take "darshan." They are able to "seek instruction or advice in their spiritual lives." Darshan focuses on the visual exchange, where there is interaction with a religious deity and the worshiper is able to visually "'drink' divine power." The Kumbh Mela is arranged in camps that give Hindu worshipers access to the Sadhus. The darshan is important to the experience of the Kumbh Mela and because of this worshipers must be careful so as to not displease religious deities. Seeing of the Sadhus is carefully managed and worshipers often leave tokens at their feet.
Kumbh Mela