For ten days, I attended the Kumbh Mela, widely regarded as the world's largest religious gathering, extending 45 days with well over 100 million Hindu pilgrims. Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) hosts the Kumbh Mela every six years, so the next is in 2031. This year was extra special as it was the Maha (Great) Kumbh Mela which occurs every 144 years.

For each Kumbh Mela, the city constructs a temporary city. This year it covered 15.5 sq miles / 40 sq kilometers, about two-thirds the size of Manhattan in NYC. There were hundreds of structures for Hindu sects, spiritual leaders and charitable organizations which offered free meals. The pilgrims slept in one of the 150,000 provided tents, on the ground under the sky or in nearby hotels for a few affluent ones. While walking there many hours each day, I heard constant music in performances or as an accompaniment to speakers and saw or participated in ceremonies like the homa (a ritual with offerings to sacred fire).

The most eye-catching individuals are the Naga Sadhus, ascetics devoted to Lord Shiva, known for their intense spiritual practices and detachment from the material world. They typically wear little or no clothes, cover themselves with ashes and often smoke blunts of ganja (derived from the Sanskrit word for the cannabis flower and introduced to Jamaica by Indian indentured servants under British rule).

The primary purpose of Kumbh Mela is to bathe in the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and imaginary Saraswati rivers converge. Dipping three times is believed to cleanse you of sins and provide spiritual liberation. I dipped six times as I had lots of transgressions to wash away.

Afterwards, Khadija met me in Bangladesh, a new UN country for both of us (#151 for me, #149 for her), where we visited for ten days. Bangladesh's history dates back thousands of years under various Hindu and Buddhist powers, the Islamic Mughal Empire and British rule. After the partition of India in 1947, it was part of Pakistan before gaining independence in 1971. It’s densely populated with about 170 million people living in an area the size of Illinois.

What stood out the most to me was how hardworking folks are. Some of the jobs are demanding, dangerous and in polluted places; as a result, workers in these positions live about 20 years less than the general population. This is especially the case in shipyards that repair and dismantle ocean-faring ships.

Everyone we met was exceedingly friendly, always willing to help and often asked for selfies with us.

While the dominant religion is Islam, which about 90% of the people follow, the country protects its diverse heritage sites and artifacts, such as Somapura Mahavihara, a Buddhist monastery dating to the 8th century. It was an important center of Mahayana Buddhism until the 12th century and the second-largest Buddhist monastery south of the Himalayas.

UPCOMING TRIPS:

At the end of March, I will be spending a week in South Sudan and visiting tribes that live outside the capital city of Juba. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, making it the world's youngest country and newest UN member. It’s one of the least developed countries in the world, ranking second to last in the Human Development Index, ahead of only Somalia, and having the second-lowest nominal GDP per capita, after Burundi. However, a country’s attractions are not determined by how developed it is and I’m very much looking forward to exploring South Sudan.

RECENT POST:

​Mauritania is a country most people can’t find on a map. The few who are familiar with the name often confuse it with the very different Mauritius. It’s a large country and not particularly far to fly to from Europe and the United States, yet it’s one of the least visited. I’m mystified as to why, as there’s so much to see in its expansive deserts and long Atlantic coastline.

Here the Sahara Desert transitions into the semi-arid Sahel. The people of the northern part of the country resemble the Berber / Arab mix of people found in Morocco and Algeria and the southern part the tribal groups of Mali and Senegal.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

My beautifully printed black and white “Station to Station: Exploring the New York City Subway” coffee table book is still available. Click here or email me for a signed copy, not available anywhere else!

RECENT BOOK​:

“Martin Eden” (1908, 480 pages) by Jack London is a semi-autobiographical story of an impoverished seaman who obsessively pursues self-education and literary fame. Through sheer determination, the protagonist achieves his dreams but finds that life can be more difficult once famous and successful. Many critics feel this book has the most developed character of all London’s works, which are mainly adventure stories. I highly recommend it if this kind of story sounds interesting to you!

SOCIALS:

My website www.ExploringEd.com with detailed posts on our trips.

FB: @Ed.Hotchkiss.3 and @Exploring Ed Travel | IG: @Exploring.Ed.Travel​

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While traveling in India and Bangladesh, I was impressed with the number of students studying physics, chemistry, engineering and IT. It’s important to support the sciences, as technology is what has allowed the people of the world to have longer and healthier lives, as well as access to sophisticated communications and international cultures. The following three charities support students of science and technology and I have personally donated to each one and encourage you to do the same.

The Seed Stem Program goal is to ignite a passion for science in the next generation. It creates an immersive laboratory environment where middle school students can explore high-level science and simulate real-life clinical applications of cutting-edge techniques, beyond textbooks and classrooms. In its labs, students don lab coats and safety goggles, conduct experiments, and solve scientific puzzles just like the experts.

​Project Scientist is a nonprofit delivering high-quality experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) to underserved and marginalized girls ages 4-18. It delivers summer and after-school programs in partnership with local schools, school districts, nonprofit organizations and STEM Companies.

​Kids in Tech believes that every child has the potential to be a technology leader of tomorrow. Its after-school tech clubs are designed to spark curiosity for learning and commitment to the community in kids today.

Happy Traveling 🌏… Exploring Ed