Ganesha, 'The Real Elephant Man'-Louise and Stuart's Amazing India

Although Ganesha's facial deformity might cause him to be shunned by other cultures, the Hindus believe that his is a gift from God and revere him. It was our special privilege to get to know Ganisha and his fellow Nagas. We sat under the shade of a banyan tree at their camp site and took chai with them on many occasions. Those lazy afternoons will long remain as some of our most cherished moments of the Kumbh.Ganesha is a very special holy man of the Naga Indian tribe. Nagas are from an ancient warrior caste of naked spiritual men who live a life primarily unto themselves. The Maha Kumbh Mela festival (the largest religious congregation on earth) is held four times every 12 years and is one of thoseoccasions when the Nagas deign to walk among their fellow Indians. Dressed only is white ash powder and an occasional loin cloth, thousands of Nagas, along with Sadhus, Hari Chrishnas, and Fakirs, dip in the holy waters of the Ganges River along with other devout Hindus. Over the three months of the festival tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims attend the Kumbh . In 2001 the Kumbh in Allahabad attracted 100 million celebrants, equivalent to a third of the population of America!

Stuart Sims aka Master Quark
for Louise and Stuart's Amazing India Travels

Check out our web-site which should becompleted about end 2010 (delayed due to circumstances beyond our control now there is a descriptive starter page).
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http://www.PortalToIndia.com
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