Kumbha Mela story in Salt Lake City newspaper

Hi Robert,

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to talk to me several weeks ago. It was delightful hearing about your experience at the 1989 Kumbh Mela and it was a very important perspective to have for the story.

The story is now available online: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865573660/Largest-human-gathering-in-history-Hindu-festival-highlights-the-religions-growth-and-influence.html. I understand it will also run in print tomorrow.

Thanks again. I hope this finds you well.

David, David Ward, Enterprise reporter, Deseret News 801.933.7720

Namarupa Special Issue: Shyamdas • In Memoriam →

SHYAMDAS~IN MEMORIAM (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD PDF)
JANUARY 2013
Stephen Theodore Schaffer, known to most as Shyamdas, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Goa, India on Saturday, January 19. He was 59. Namarupa has published a special 36 page issue containing an obituary, photographs and memories of Shyamdas and all the articles that Shyamdas ever wrote for Namarupa.

Download a free PDF copy now or go to Magcloud to purchase a perfect bound printed version.

CONTENTS

COVER PHOTO MARTIN BRADING ~ OBITUARY BY HANNAH LILA SELIGSON-SCHAFFER ~ A STRANGE THING BY EDDIE STERN ~ EVERYDAY WITH SHYAM BY MIKE DIAMOND ~ IN MEMORIAM BY GAURA VANI ~ NAMA & RUPA BY VALLABHDAS ~ OUR LAST DATE BY ALLY GOPI KREIM ~ ARTICLES BY SHYAMDAS ECSTATIC COUPLETS • RASAKHAN • OCEAN OF GRACE • GOVARDHAN LILA • YAMUNA’S STORY • HARI’S LILA

Tonsure at Tirumala →

Every day at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in India, about 10,000 people sit cross-legged on the floor of the tonsuring room and let one of the 500 temple barbers shave off their hair. For many Hindu pilgrims, the shave is an intensely moving experience, as they believe that by sacrificing their hair here they will gain Lord Venkateswara’s protection and be cleansed of material debts.

Once the hair hits the floor, however, it enters the world of business.

BREATH OF THE GODS →

Modern yoga, that is, the form practiced daily by tens of millions of people around the world, goes back directly to Lord Shiva according to Indian tradition. At the same time, however, modern yoga originated in the early 20th century, a creation of Indian savant T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989). That story is far less known and is what this film is all about.

Krishnamacharya’s life and teachings are seen through the eyes of the director Jan Schmidt-Garre on his search for authentic yoga. His journey leads him from the legendary students and relatives of Krishnamacharya’s to the source of modern yoga, at the palace of the Maharaja of Mysore. From Pattabhi Jois Jan learns the “Sun salutation”, from Iyengar the “King of Asanas”, the headstand, and finally Sribhashyam reveals to him his father’s secret “Life Saving Yoga Session”.

Featuring yoga legends B. K. S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, T. K. Sribhashyam, and T. Krishnamacharya

Holiest day at Maha Kumbha Mela →

The main day of bathing is taking place at India’s Kumbh Mela, with more than 30 million pilgrims expected to take a dip at the confluence of India’s Ganges and Yamuna rivers.

Namarupa Issue 16 Volume 4

Sacred Landscapes: Photo Essay by Martin Brading

Theyyam: The Art of Possession by Vikram Zutshi

Mudra: Srivatsa Ramaswami

108 Images Slide Show
Click on photo to go to slide show
Namarupa Sadhana Yatra Dec 2012 - Jan 2013
©Robert Moses

Awesome hipsta slides show supreme. Check them all out here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbsk/sets/72157632432364224/show/

from the Namarupa Sadhana Yatra December 2012-January 2013

by Barry Silver aka gbSk

http://ashtangayoyogi.com/home-en

http://www.gbskshop.com/

“BEYOND” is an exclusive documentary featuring photographer Joey L. Set in Varanasi, India. The documentary by filmmaker Cale Glendening follows Joey and his assistant Ryan as they complete their latest photo series- “Holy Men.”

Chidambaram arurdra festival