Kalpavasi.com creating a benchmark service for pilgrims and tourists

Kalpavasi.com expresses the Kumbha Mela for the uninitiated pilgrims and primarily facilitates foreign visitors including the PIO (People of Indian Origin) and the Indian Diaspora to experience the Kumbha Mela

Kalpavasi.com is the most comprehensive web site on the Kumbha Mela and provides all round information on the world’s biggest event from all possible disciplines and approaches. Kalpavasi.com has brought the little know aspect of the Kalpavasa Vrata and has presented it to a worldwide audience in order to popularise the correct system of participation for pilgrims

Kalpavasi.com deals with the Kumbha Mela not only from the aspect of faith, religion and spirituality but also from the scientific views. The website is the result of more than ten years of intense research by renowned indologists, sociologists, anthropologists, archaeologists and religious scholars

Kalpavasi throws new light to the way the Kumbha Mela has been approached through the years. Kalpavasi attempts to bring back the importance of the pilgrims who have over the years become mute spectators while the ascetics (Sadhus) have grabbed the limelight and headlines. The portal has been started to bring back into vogue the importance of the lay devotee and his quintessential kalpavasa vrata in the Kumbha Mela, which seems to have lost its importance in the recent times

The importance of Kalpavasa and its benefits are believed to be same as experiencing one day at the Brahmaloka or 4.32 billion Human years. According to the Hindu Dharma, this is the closest one may come to immortality, Kalpavasi.com presents several unique knowledge-packages which encapsulate the holistic Kumbha Parva through that provide an opportunity to experience the magic of immortality

Kalpavasi.com is probably the first of its kind in acting as bridge between science and Kumbha Mela. The web site explains every phenomenon of the great Mela in scientific terms easily assimilated by logic and reasoning, extrapolating the same to generic ideological concepts and constructs. Kalpavasi is probably the most unique and interesting websites based on Indian Culture and Heritage presently

We also see a responsibility in popularizing the Indian Ethos to the Indian Diaspora and invite participation from the young as well as the old to experience all aspects of the Indian way of life at one place and present to you the best possible experiences of the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela in an effort to introduce you to the essence of the Indian Tradition, Heritage, Culture, Spirituality and Religion with the least possible expenditure of time, effort and money

The Religious experience in the Khumba Mela include several special Poojas, Yajnas, Murthi-Stapanas, Mandir nirmanas, Japas, Mantra-upadesha and meditation sessions

The Kalpavási can choose from any of the approaches to Hindu religion as a form of worship during the Khumba(Kumbh) Mela and any of the thirty million demi-gods in the Hindu religion can be invoked, praised, and prayed upon as per the belief and liking of the sadhaka

Special poojas like Guru-ganapathi Vandhana, Devi Aradhana, Mrutunjaya Japa and Homa, Vishnu Stuti, Surya Narayana Bhagwan Puja, etc are performed during the Khumba (Kumbh) Mela, which follow the traditional Sodasa Upachara method as prescribed by the Agama Shastras as well as many popular and unique Yajnas, Satras, Homas like Purta Kama Yajna, Maha Chandi Koma, Rudra Homa, Navagraha Homa, etc are also routinely performed depending on Kamya and Kamana of the Sadhaka. The merit gained by performing these Vedic rites of fire-oblation is believed to be extremely high during the Khumba (Kumbh) Mela

Many Devotees also choose to setup Murthis (Idols) or Shiva Linga at various holy places around the Khumba (Kumbh) Mela on auspicious days to gain religious merit. Some even establish Sahasra Linga Stapana (one thousand Shiva Lingas), Laksha Linga Stapana (one hundred thousand Shiva Lingas) Koti Linga Stapana (Ten Million Shiva Lingas), etc

Many devotees or groups also take the Sankalpa of building temples in the holy cities or elsewhere or in the own towns & villages during the Khumba (Kumbh) Mela. Many Kalpavasis get initiated into special Japa and Mantra chanting Vrat?s called Upadesha. These Upadeshas are given under strict Vedic rites accompanied by the difficult esoteric austerities and prescribed for each Japa and Mantropadesha

Many Hindus believe that performing the scared Samskaras during the Khumba (Kumbh) Mela is extremely is extremely meritorious. Kalpavasi.com introduces multiple ways to experience these samskaras, the Kalpavasa Vrata & the Kumbha Mela through various packages

The Hindu Samsk?ras

The Hindu Samsk?ra are a series of sacraments, sacrifices and rituals that serve as rites of passage and mark the various stages of the human life and to signify entry to a particular Ashrama. All human beings, especially the Dvija (twice-born) are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for gods, ancestors and guardians in accordance with the Vedic dictums for the fulfilment of Dharmic life (righteous life)

Sanskar is a commonly used prak?ut variant of the Sanskrit word 'Samskara' and signifies cultural heritage and upbringing in the modern Hindi language

Most Vedic rituals consist of Homa (fire sacrifices) of elaborate and intrinsic designs and complex methodology, accompanied by recitation of Vedas by a qualified Priests in honour of a particular demigod, fire offerings of various ingredients, gifts to be given in charity, presence of elders for blessings, amidst sanctified sacrificial grounds, sacred herbs and good omens. Each important milestone of a human life is to be celebrated by undertaking a particular Samsk?ra wherein the significance of that milestone is ritualistically conveyed

All Hindus follow the prescribed Samsk?ras as a part of their way of life such in milestones such as pregnancy, childbirth, education, marriage, and death. The major Samsk?ras are 16 in number; generally known as Shodhasa Samskaras (sixteen sacrements)

These are

Garbhadhanam - gifting the womb

Pumsavanam - ritual conducted in the third month of pregnancy

Seemantam - the protection of the mother at the critical period of gestation

Jatakarmam - development of the intellect of the child

Namakaranam - naming ceremony

Nishkramanam - taking the child for the first time outside the house

Annaprasanam - food-giving ritual, which is the first time the child eats solid food

Choodakaranam/Choulam/Mundanam – tonsuring, the ceremony of cutting child's hair for first time

Karnavedham - ear-piercing

Vidyarambham - commencement of studies

Upanayanam – the second birth, given by the father. Accompanied by the Brahmopadesham (esoteric handing over of the secret Gayatri Mantra)

Praishartham - the learning of Vedas and Upanishads

Kesantham - getting rid of hairs on the face i.e., the first shave for the boy

Ritusuddhi - ceremony associated with a girl’s first mensturation

Samavartanam - marks the end of Brahmacharya (student hood)

Vivaham – Marriage, wedding ceremony

Nishekam - the ritual associated with consummation of marriage

Anthyeshti - last rites, the rituals associated with the after life

The Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela is the perfect event to conduct many of these Samsk?ras, especially those relating to Wedding, After-life and Initiating ceremonies for the young

Kalpavasi.com offers special ceremonies to facilitate the guest to conduct such Samsk?ras during the Kumbha (Kumbh) Mela. The attendees may choose from the following types of stay

Star Package:

For those who want to experience the Kalpavasa VratÀ and the Kumbha Mela with luxurious modern amenities. Accommodations are laced with innovative design and modern facilities. Guests can expect the same level of hospitality as a 3 to 4 star Indian hotel

Budget Package:

For those who want to experience the Kalpavasa VratÀ and the Kumbha Mela within a budget. Accommodations offered are of budgeted conveniences with certain modern facilities. Guests can expect the same level of hospitality as any good Urban Indian hotel

Budget Dormitory:

For students and large groups who want to experience the Kalpavasa VratÀ in the Kumbha Mela within a budget combined with a dormitory stay. Accommodations offered are of budgeted conveniences with certain modern facilities, Kalpavasis can expect the same level of hospitality as any good Urban Indian hotel

Camp at Mela Kshetra:

For those who want to experience the Kalpavasa VratÀ from within the Kumbha Mela Kshetra. This comes closest to the traditional idea of being a Kalpavasi. Accommodations offered are of Swiss type tents with certain modern facilities like electricity, bedding, security; Etc. Kalpavasis can expect the same experience as a traditional Kalpavasi staying inside the Mela Kshetra albeit with little more comforts.

Home Stays: [this is a pioneering tourism effort by Kalpavasi.com]

For those who want to experience the Kalpavasa VratÀ in the Indian way emulating the Kalpavasis stay with relatives and friends who are locals of Haridwar. Accommodations offered are of budget facilities with certain modern facilities, Kalpavasis can expect the same level of hospitality as any good Indian hotel with a charm and flavour of domestic Indian hospitality.

Kalpavasi Plus: [the most unique contribution of Kalpavasi.com]

For those who want to experience the Kalpavasa VratÀ from within the Kumbha Mela Kshetra in its entirety. Probably the most practical approach, to the traditional idea of being a Kalpavasi, in the modern world. Accommodations offered are Swiss type tents with certain modern facilities like electricity, bedding, security; Etc. Kalpavasis can expect the same experience as a traditional Kalpavasi staying inside the Mela Kshetra albeit with little more comforts.

Efforts are being taken to provide an unforgettable Kumbha experience as that the attendees may take home the most memorable travel or tour ever. We provide the guests with a basic tour of the important places in and around Hardiwar and Rishikesh and facilitate onward journey to other destinations in India

I Dr. Manish Mokshagundam, Managing Director of Studiorama India Limited request the blessings of the elders and the co-operation of the young in spreading the essence of India worldwide through this humble endeavour of ours. Hoping that we shall be successful in creating the much needed awareness about the Kumbha Mela and act as unofficial ambassadors of the Kumbha Mela

Kalpavasi.com is a Studiorama India Limited initiative, who have diversified from a long and successful stint as market leaders in the audio-visual medium specializing in Indological projects and events into the in-bound tourism sector