Day Three… I think!

I have officially lost track of time and day. Today I am to meet the superintendent of the Indian Army this morning for help with getting around the Kumbh Mela.
The morning was cold and wet, but I could see the sun would come out today. Myself, the Itialian.s would begin a tour again of the camps. Also we got up around 5am and headed to the Hari Ki pouri to shoot portraits of the pilgrims at dawn light which is realy the best. One family allowed me to shoot them shaving their sons head and being given a bath by the father. A truly blessed event for the family and me for being a witness. We spent about 2 hours greeting the pilgrims, And then Franco and i headed towards the quarters of Mrs Sharma to see how we could get help during this tour. She was just lovely and I felt a little embarrassed to have this crazy Italian with me, but i felt I owed him something for having me along with him for 2 days. So I explained to Mrs Sharma how he was a little addicted to the Naga’’s and not to worry about anything. She said she would give ma a kernel to assist me on the tour for the afternoon. Wow! I cant tell you how huge this was. Most of the really high level temples and Maharj’s are not accessible unless you are a devotee or military making contact. Even then it was difficult.
Our kernel first took us to a Shiva temple which had several armed guards in front. We were allowed inside and it was so beautiful! a huge marble patio with an entrance to the main temple where only the swami;s go. At the inner opening there were about 4 Swami’s who invited me to ask a few questions. Of course I had them ready. “What is the import of Sadhana?” So there was a pause and the Swami told me “ I need a whole day to answer that question.” And so we all laughed and i explained that I already knew the answer, but since I was coming from such a distance I had to ask a big question. He responded just do something 5 minutes a day and that is all that is necessary. So we touched their feet and proceeded to the next camp.
The next place was also a highly guarded enclosure which only the kernel got me access to . We were immediately greeted by a Naga Baba. He was a bit older. We asked for a photo or Franco did and He looked at me and pointed to the ground. I needled at his feet and receive his blessing. Now, many of you know i have been studying the chakra system. This is a very real system of energy alignment for me which many my world spin the right way. This naga was high evolved! He touched my head and for a moment I felt the world stop and spin around me. 1.2.3.4.5.6.7 all chakra’s where spinning and aligning and i was absolutely blessed in that instant. I felt a tear crawl down and felt grace had began at this moment for this Kumb Mela for me. We took a few more picture of this camp and Naga’s and then headed to the Main Maharaj’s encampment.
Now little did I know that this tour would become my own pilgrimage. My doctor told me that the Ganga is the most polluted river in the world so I decided that i would not bathe and after all I am not a Hindu. However….We took an auto richshaw to the Maharaj camp.
While there we would meet 2 Maharaj…I cant remember the name because the Hindu names and very hard for me to translate and remember. The first one was one of the more famous and recognized figures who had come to the Mela. His camp was huge. We were invited for satsang and questions. I Asked him a question about family and how i felt bad that they think I am some sort of problem because of my spiritual path which only i know is the most important thing i will ever gain in my life. He told me that i have to go to the temple to ask that question and he would only address question's about the Kumbh Mela. So I asked the obvious question…”Is it necessary for for a westerner to go into the water of Ma Ganga for this blessing of kumbh Mela?” And suddenly the light was extremely bright around me and behind him. I could only see him and there was no sounds. And with a thunderous, deep voice hes replied “Its is the will of all people coming to the Kumbh Mela to bathe in Ma Ganga”. Now he is speaking only in Hindi, but I swear I hear it in English. for a moment more the earth spun around me and this was a pure moment of samahdi. Then Franco took a picture of the Maharaj and tried to show it to him and this was a big NONO! About 6 swamis grabbed Franco and pulled him away. I felt bad for him for just not being here. But think he took it to heart and told me later he appreciated the time we were together. After this moment of Samahdi I was given an armband and lotus paste on top of my third eye. I way really buzzing! We sat with the devotees and ate lunch and the entire time I am feeling such peace. After lunch our kernel had to leave for his duty for the main bathing day and I decided to head over to the Hari Ki Pouri (footstep of God) main bathing ghat and take my bath.
So I proceeded towards the Ghat with Franco. There are 3 sides for possible bathing. The one I chose is where the nightly Aarti’s are performed every night since the beginning of humanity.  I undressed to my underwear which is what everyone does there. Now at this point I have not showered in like 4-5 days and I'm needing some sort of wash. I’ve been traveling in the mud mostly shoes off and sleeping in the damp tent. Its been a challenge getting used to the discomfort, but I am used to it. SO i make my way to the ghat and the feeling of light from within has surrounded me with a protective bubble and I grab the chain and wade in . I try not to put my head in and the Hindi boys around me laugh and say you have to dunk all the way! So I surrendered because i knew it was the right thing for me at that moment. Ahhh! the sweet nectar from the footstep of God has taken me and I am here. I am that. Hari Om!
As in the usual Indian customs a claimed Hindu priest about 25 or so of age asked me for additional  puja blessings. I said OK, but I think it was probably a scam. These are poor people so I’m ok with getting burned at times. I went to sit on the steps and reflect my experience. I brought some grapefruit seed extract and bottled water to cleanse myself off with. And drink to kill any bacteria that may have entered my mouth. I felt so at peace and was so incredibly
connected to grace, I was in tears. One Indian man came and sat with me and we talked for a while about the pilgrimage. Deep gratitude and kindness from this culture. A complete and whole experience indeed. Shortly after we went to tour some more camps grab a few more shots and back to camp.