The Kumbh Mela 2013: Allahabad weather will be foggy and cold

We have all heard about the world famous, elaborate, Kumbh Mela, held every year, but very little knowledge about the Kumbh Mela and it's history and origin is known to people and tourists. So here goes the history before we provide some info on the weather in Allahabad during the Kumbh, 2013, in case you want to experience the majestic festival:

The demigods had lost their strength by the curse of Durväsä Muni, and to regain it, they prayed to Lord Vishnu, who instructed them to churn an ocean of milk (amrit manthan) to receive amrita, the nectar of immortality. However, when the Kumbha (urn) containing the amrita appeared, a fight ensued between the gods and the demons for the pot of amrit. It is believed that during this battle, Lord Vishnu flew away with the Kumbha or the urn, spilling drops of amrita at four places: Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. This is where the Kumbh Mela has been celebrated every year since 664 A.D.

The Kumbh Mela 2013 began Jan14th and will continue till the month of March. So if you are an avid photographer/traveler or are spiritually inclined and you’ve made up your mind to visit the Kumbh Mela, 2013, knowing the Allahabad weather will be of great help to you. Weather forecasters at Skymet predict foggy weather during the Kumbh Mela 2013 for this week.

Mahesh Palawat, Head of the forecasting team informs, “The Allahabad weather in the month of January during the Kumbh Mela will be cold. On Jan 20^th the max was 23.3⁰C, whereas the morning temperature on Jan 21^st was recorded at a low of 5.8⁰C and could remain so for the next two to three days.” “Foggy weather and early morning mist and haze is a high possibility”, he adds. Tourists planning to visit the Kumbh Mela 2013, will enjoy as the pleasant Allahabad weather will not hinder any plans. The fog will soon clear and sunny days will attract even more tourists.

Allahabad weather generally records extreme temperatures that go up to 1⁰C to 2⁰C in the winter months of January. Weathermen at Skymet observe records and tell us that the last time the temperature slid to this low was on January 21^st, 2003. Around this time Allahabad experienced dense fog too.

As years have passed, the effects of global warming are showing results rapidly. The weather in Allahabad being colder in 2012, than the weather in Jan 2013, is an example of effects of global warming in India. But the changes are not significant enough to dampen the spirits of the millions of tourists and sadhus visiting the Kumbh Mela 2013. Allahabad weather will soon see a rise in the max temp as another ‘western disturbance’ is seen approaching the Himalayan region on Jan 23^rd, due to which the cold day conditions will reduce.

Photo by Susan Black.