Kumbh Mela Prayagraj and Varanasi, India January 28th - Feb 2, 2025

This photography tour in Varanasi will do the same for you as it will take you through all of its nooks and corners as well as through the daily ritualistic practises.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that occurs every 12 years in India. It is widely regarded as one of the world's largest religious gatherings drawing millions of devotees and tourists from all over the world. The event is known for its spiritual significance which includes traditional bathing in sacred rivers particularly at the confluence of the Ganges Yamuna and Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj (previously Allahabad). The Maha Kumbh Mela is a spectacular display of vivid colors various cultures and profound devotion providing a unique view into the rich tapestry of Indian faith and traditions.

Since 3464 BC the Maha Kumbh Mela has been celebrated every 12 years making it the world's greatest and most dynamic spiritual event. In a country as diverse and physically appealing as India the scope and depth of this gathering are simply astonishing. For travel or documentary photographers particularly those interested in people and cultural variety in unique settings there is simply no other venue in the known universe that can compete with the Maha Kumbh Mela's compelling array of photographic opportunities.

Banaras:- Varanasi also known as BenarasBanaras or Kashi is a city situated on the banks of Ganga river in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India. A major religious hub in India it is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism. The city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River's sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city's winding streets are some 2000 temples including Kashi Vishwanath the "Golden Temple" dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

January 28th - Feb 2 2025

Day 01

28 January 2025: Kumbh Mela 

Participants will be picked up from the railway station/ Airport in a Car 

Arrive at the Hotel/ Tent till afternoon

after lunch head to Mela ground and sangam region to get used to the region and shoot 

babas, snan and Akhadas

In the night a small 30 minutes briefing session on the tour and what we will be doing for next 2 days. Briefing session will happen again on last day with seeing and discussing images and footage shots.

Day 02

29h January 2025: Mouni Amavashya (Royal Bathing)

Early in the morning proceed for the Holy dip (Royal Bath) at Sangam. Full day to explore the Kumbh mela, get interaction with Sadhu/Mahatma, and participate in Ganga Aarti at Sangam. Dinner & overnight stay at the camp.

Day 03

30th January 2025: Kumbh Mela

After breakfast, Full day to explore and Photograph Kumbh Mela. Visit nearby places like Akshya Vat, Hanuman Temple, Allahabad Fort back to the camp for lunch & rest. Evening go around Akhadas and sadhus doing Sadhana and photograph.

During kumch there are many activities going on entire Mela ground, during different timings so the more you walk more pictures you get after ganga aarti Dinner & overnight stay 

Day 04

31th January 2025: Varanasi 

Travel in a Private Vehicle from allahabad to Varanasi by 12pm

Arrive at pre-booked hotel at at 12pm Varanasi unpack have tea and get ready for shoot around the streets and ghats of Varanasi and Evening Aarti and activities in and around Ghats of Ganges.

As the entire ghat region can be accessed only by walk so be ready to walk a long distance we will take breaks in between for snacks and lunch (depending on the place we will be at the particular time).

The evening before sunset we will take a boat ride to photograph ghats and activities from the Ganges that is Assi Ghat till Dashashmedh ghat during the beautiful sunset followed by Ganga aarti which is a beautiful experience and to shoot Videos and Photos.

Day 5

01 Feb : Varanasi

Morning - before sunrise we will go on the ghats and photograph morning rituals and Subh a Banaras and other activities that happens on ASSI Ghat and then go to Akhada near by location then take boat ride for pictures return to hotel for breakfast after a short rest we will start again at around 11pm and shoot from lanes till Assi Ghat to Ram Ghat

Lunch can be had outside (Lunch not included in Varanasi as we will be out during that time so participants take care of there own food)

After Ganga Arti at Dashawamedh Ghat do shooping if you wish to have dinner by 10pm and Sleep

Day 6

02 Feb:- Packup and leave back to railway station drop or Airport at around 10am

FEE INCLUDES

Twin shared room

It will cover all vegetarian buffet meals

Food :- Kumbh mela- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Varanasi- during lunch time we will be out shooting so lunch needs to be taken care by participant. Breakfast and Dinner provided

All local transports related to our photo tour i.e. hiring of cabs from Prayagraj to varanasi and station and airport pickup and drop.

Mentor’s fee for on-field assistance, image reviews and guidance on post-processing.

THE FEE DOESN’T INCLUDE

Train/flight tickets

Any additional food items or beverages during meals.

Q&A

What do I get from this photo-tour?

A Guided photographic experience by experts in the field who Travelled India extensively.

Presentation of photographs, guidance and information of locations and events before each day’s shoot.

Video edits basic understanding editing pictures

Guiding all participants about lens requirement, composition and camera settings on the field during photo shoot.

Assisting in possible editing guidance.

Guiding participants in finding photographic locations and vantage points for places and events.

Am I eligible for this tour?

Anyone above 18 years is welcome to join this photo tour.

I am new to photography, Content creation or just an explorer should I join this trip?

Yes. This tour is for everyone photography, you tube, insta, FB or any social media content creation enthusiastic people who want to create pictures, reels, shorts and grow there audience or make a proffesional Photography porfolio may it be DSLR, ANALOG, COMPACT, MOBILE. AIM of the photo tour is to make the participants comfortable in outdoor enviroment understand the place and be able to photograph or create reels, shorts of the festival in its original form or if you are Traveller or explorer this will be unique experinece with even a mobile phone.

What equipment is required for this Trip?

Well, any camera is a good camera if you are able to see things so no restrictions and for DSLR camera with any of the lens Zoom lens like 24-70mm, Prime lens- 50mm, Tele Photo 70-200mm any lens is perfect as far as you are comfortable. (optional) A laptop with post-processing software,

Who is Photonomads?

Is run by Sandeep Rasal with expert teams from various region.

He has experience of 17 years in the field and has been lecturer, Photojournalist wit leading Newspaper and agencies, Docu Filmmaker, Video Content Creator, Traveller, Explorer with National and International awards who has travelled India extensively and in process of publishing his book.

ABOUT Maha Kumbh Mela, Varanasi Photo Tour 2025:-

This photography tour in Varanasi will do the same for you, as it will take you through all of its nooks and corners as well as through the daily ritualistic practises.

The Maha Kumbh Mela is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that occurs every 12 years in India. It is widely regarded as one of the world's largest religious gatherings, drawing millions of devotees and tourists from all over the world. The event is known for its spiritual significance, which includes traditional bathing in sacred rivers, particularly at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj (previously Allahabad). The Maha Kumbh Mela is a spectacular display of vivid colors, various cultures, and profound devotion, providing a unique view into the rich tapestry of Indian faith and traditions.

Since 3464 BC, the Maha Kumbh Mela has been celebrated every 12 years, making it the world's greatest and most dynamic spiritual event. In a country as diverse and physically appealing as India, the scope and depth of this gathering are simply astonishing. For travel or documentary photographers, particularly those interested in people and cultural variety in unique settings, there is simply no other venue in the known universe that can compete with the Maha Kumbh Mela's compelling array of photographic opportunities.

Banaras:- Varanasi, also known as Benaras,Banaras or Kashi, is a city situated on the banks of Ganga river in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India. A major religious hub in India, it is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism. The city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River's sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city's winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the "Golden Temple", dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

* There are lot of other activities that goes on during the day and night.

* This photography tour will let you also explore Kumbhe Mela, Sadhus, Akhadas, Rituals and lots and lots of picture if u be at right time at right place its once in amlife time opportunity to cover Kumbh Mela which is one of worlds lagest gathering also in Varanasi we will get to photograph Ghats from Assi Ghat to Ram Ghat and new made Khirkiya ghat be ready to walk long day from morning till evening You will find many activities of people Bathing, Rituals, Boatmen, Music players, Sadhus, Heritage structures etc.

* Lanes of Benaras are the most happening and lively places you will photograph apart from the Ghats, the shops, people, markets, Akhadas, Music classes, Sanskrit Vidhyalaya, Ashrams, Temples and lot more

* Also main street from Dashwamedh ghat to Godolia towards Ramghat you can find Pan mandi, Flower market and lot more

Host or Publisher Photo Nomads