I just returned from attending the 2010 Kumbh Mela celebration also known to many as the "Festival of Immortals". The celebration is said to be anywhere from 3,000 to 8,000 years old; bringing the holy people of the Hindu religion, their followers, and a few "immortals" together. The event honors the legend of when the Hindu "gods" dropped some of their "amrit" (the nectar of immoratlity) from their pot referred to as Kumbh at 4 spots in India: Allahabad (Prayag), Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. The Kumbh Mela in each location takes place every twelfth year; this year being held at Haridwar.
The people who attend the "Ganga Art" ceremony, or sacred bath during the Kumbh Mela, believe taking this bath will make them protected from death aka "immortal" until the next Kumbh Mela. And there are a few who believe with a continuous bathing during each Kumb Mela, they will achieve some form of immortality.
Although I am not a Hindu, I went to the Kumbh Mela, out of curiousity and because I was told that I could possibly meet some real life "immortals" who live amoung the "holy people" of India. One man was said to be somewhere between 150 to 250 years old. There was a story of a 300 year old to 900 year old man who may or may not still be alive. And there was the hope of meeting a legendary man who's age is well beyond 1,000 years of age.
Unfortunately, I did not meet any of these people. However, I did find out much more about the supposed "immortals" and a met a few known people who could easily be well beyond 100 years of age.
I will reveal a few more interesting details of my interesting trip through India in future posts.
Messages of Hope from a 2,800 Year Old Man
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On this weekend of hope, I thought I would offer everyone some of the
messages of inspiration and hope that I received from the remarkable man
whom I have ...
14 years ago
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13 comments:
Hi Ben! What a great trip. I had not been aware of this festival.
For you and your readers info my 'Healthy Life Extension / Physical Immortality - the mass possibility paper' is now available at
http://drjannilloyd.wordpress.com/
many blessings Janni
This is very interesting.
Thank you for sharing.
I will comment further after I give it another, more thorough reading.
Blessing!
Ben
Thanks Ben.
Yes, I would enjoy any thoughts and feedback you may have.
blessings Janni
Did you hear anything about Babaji while you were there? He was popularized in "Autobiography of a Yogi" several decades ago, but tales of his existence have been around much longer. My own research suggests that he is the same man known under a different name in Southern China, where he was thought to be a Taoist master. Real immortals are fortunate, I am sure, when they encounter a culture that allows them to exist openly!
Glenn, I did hear a few things about Babaji but was not able to confirm anything. I also heard similiar stories about a few other "Baba's" which I too was unable to confirm while I was there.
However, I did collect a lot of interesting information on other possible "immortals" living among us.
Blessings!
The website (from which both Glenn and myself have been writing) is www.trueimmortals.net
Stephen and I have great respect for your research. You've done impressive things!
Immortals are (understandably) quite private, and we understand that it is essential for you keep certain specifics hidden. But I wonder if we could ask a general question.
Have you ever run across this symbol in connection with immortals?
http://www.trueimmortals.net/?page_id=1991
It keeps coming up for us.
-- Glenn
Ben,
Here's another question that possibly you feel free to answer.
From what we've found so far, there are some Immortals who never age at all, and look eternally youthful. But it seems there are others who do age, just very, very slowly. One name we've run across for that second group is "Hafeem," or "half-immmortal."
Does this square with what you've discovered? Or are we seeing only a part of the picture?
Respectfully,
Glenn
Very interesting website Stephen!
How may I contribute to your website?
Glenn & Stephen,
I have seen many different symbols for immortality in my research. In India, I was shocked to see so many "backwards" swastica's which is one of the Hindu religious symbols.
When I first looked at your immortality symbol, I immediately had a feeling of deja vue when I saw your symbol, but I cannot remember where, if ever, I saw it.
It does remind me of some of the ancient Egyptian symbols that I have seen before; but I do not recall that exact symbol in that research.
Skeptics and Debunkers "never" see the evidence even if it's sitting in their lap. Their minds are closed, they find comfort in their self made prison of secure concepts and unchangeable ideas, they fear the unknown and simply will not risk the discovery of the scary monsters that lie deep in their minds.
It is sad but I guess we all have our fears but it's funny how they just disappear when we turn on the light.
Hi,
just for your information if you dont know.
There is one immortal Ashwathama. he is a character in Mahabharata (great epic for hindus)
http://hauntedtavern.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=spirituality&action=print&thread=1675
Please let me know if you found any intresting... hrushikesh.net@gmail.com
Anonymous ... please re-post your comment about the immortal Ashwathama without your email address and I will post it.
I am withholding your current comment to protect your privacy.
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