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This story is from July 31, 2015

Khandesh cuisine, Naga Sadhus are the main attractions for Nashik’s Kumbh enthusiasts

The mega event, which has become the core meeting point for many a spiritually inclined, has several attractions that go beyond the realms of religion.
Khandesh cuisine, Naga Sadhus are the main attractions for Nashik’s Kumbh enthusiasts
The mega event, which has become the core meeting point for many a spiritually inclined, has several attractions that go beyond the realms of religion. As many first-timers gear up for their Nashik Kumbh excursion, we tell you the different reasons that have motivated them to undertake this exciting journey.
Thrills of street photography:
The diverse colours and attractive hues of various Kumbh melas have always attracted artists to get busy with their palettes.
But, it is the lensmen who have been the busiest, bringing alive the stunning Kumbh landscapes for people all over the world through their pictures. Excitedly planning his first tryst with Nashik Kumbh, photographer Vinay Thakur shares, "I can’t wait to indulge in the thrills of street photography at Nashik, where I will purely go by the sounds and the smell of the mela. That pleasure will be pristine; devoid of all frills". He adds, "I will just go by my instinct. You can never plan your pictures on such huge occasions. Right from early morning clicks to late night stills, I will try and capture anything that catches my fancy."
Foodie’s haven:
Adventure apart, it is the intrigue of community-living and enjoying meals with hundreds of pilgrims that has fascinated many. Businessman Vipin Sood makes no bones about the fact that it is the gourmet aspect mingled with spirituality that is urging him to take his first trip to Nashik. "I plan to see the Kumbh with my eyes and heart. The Naga sadhus playing with their hair and ashes or thousands of people bathing in Godavari at any given time are exciting visuals. But it is also the joy of enjoying the satvik meal served by various akhadas or the prasad served at various temples in Nashik that is beckoning me. I have heard that many specialised eateries from Mumbai and Pune have put up their stalls at Panchwati Ghat and I can’t wait to indulge. I have heard a lot about the Khandesh cuisine and I’m ready to experiment with dhirade, misal-pav and shev bhaji," confesses Vipin.

Fanning the adventurous streak:
For practicing lawyer Saket Bhattad and his friends, their forthcoming trip to Nashik is an exploration, which reeks of adventure. "My friends and I are driving down to Nashik. All of us want to experience the Shahi Snan, about which we have read a lot. The phenomenon of Naga sadhus, rarely witnessed other than at a Kumbh, is quite intriguing and we can’t wait to watch their various moods and hairstyles," says Saket, adding, "Then, there are vineyards at Nashik, which have that come-hither feel. So, this trip has become even more attractive for all of us."
Trimbakeshwar calling:
For those who want to explore beyond the mere superfluous, there are other attractions which are quite compelling and have added to the mystique of Nashik. Entrepreneur Kapil Rathi, who is ready to get up close with the city, reveals, "I will definitely visit Panchwati (Goda) Ghat at Nashik, which is the major hub of the mela. But, soon afterwards, I will drive over to Trimbakeshwar and then walk for almost 8-10 kms for a holy dip in the kund where river Godavari is said to have re-emerged from."
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