THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT ?

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

A DISSERTATION Submitted by A.S.MADHULIKAA 2014701541 In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE under FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING in

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING

ANNA UNIVERSITY CHENNAI 600 025 April 2018

DECLARATION I declare that this Dissertation titled “THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?” is the result of my work and prepared by me under the guidance of Ar. PARTHSARTHI DUTTA GUPTA and that it has not formed the basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship or fellowship of any other University or institute previously. Due acknowledgement has been made wherever anything has been borrowed from other sources.

Date: Name & Roll Number:

Signature of the Candidate

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE Certified that this Dissertation forming part of Course work AR - 8081 Dissertation, VIII semester, B.Arch, entitled “THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?” submitted by “A.S.MADHULIKAA, 2014701541” to the Department of architecture, School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University, Chennai, 600 025 in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor Degree in Architecture is a bonafide record of work carried by her under my supervision.

Certified further that to the best of my knowledge the work reported herein does not form part of any other dissertation.

Date:

Signature of the Supervisor Name Designation

External Examiner 1

External Examiner 2

Date :

Date :

Professor and Head

Dean

Department of Architecture

SAP

Date :

Date:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to thank my college, The School of Architecture and Planning, the various heads, senior staffs and faculty for this opportunity to do this dissertation This dissertation would not have been possible without the help and support of many.

My deepest gratitude to my guide, Ar. Parthsarthi Dutta Gupta, for his valuable inputs and support through the entire process. His expert guidance both during my theoretical studies as well as my live case study were very valuable and instrumental in shaping this dissertation.

I would also like to express my thanks to the architects at Pithavadian and Partners and my co-interns for their support, encouragement, guidance and contribution to my dissertation in many ways.

I would like to express my thanks to my parents, grandparents and my family for their unconditional support and motivation. A special mention to all my school teachers who have molded me into the person I am today.

Special thanks is due to all my friends, both from college as well as school, for extending their support whenever I needed it.

Above all, I thank God for the strength to pursue this dissertation.

ABSTRACT Human settlements have always included and in fact started out with temporary settlements. The movable animal skin tents of the hunter-gathers to the latest military camps, the world has come a long way. These settlements are ephemeral in nature, lasting for a very short time.

Ephemeral settlements are completely heterogeneous in nature. There is not one common thing or factor between two such settlements. This can be attributed to the fact that each settlement has a unique site, place, context and time frame. However, all these instances of ephemeral settlements usually revolve around a modus operandi. A central idea is most often what holds together various aspects of an ephemeral city.

These factors can be anything like religion, celebration, transaction, extraction, disaster, military and refugee.

Ephemeral landscapes of religion show us how intensity stretches physical and symbolic boundaries of everyday functional spaces. In this form of the ephemeral, powerful colours, images and fragrances promote possibilities for the temporary, flexible and sacred in the city. They are fostered by situations in which space is modified, totally transformed or even constructed in order to facilitate the practice of faith.

The biggest ephemeral mega city existent today is the Kumbh Mela. Each year (Magh Mela) a temporary settlement covering almost 19.42 sqkm of the riverbed area, is constructed by the government of Uttar Pradesh for the pilgrims who come there to take a dip at the holy Triveni Sangam. In this process, lot of manpower, materials, pollution and wastage of money is created. Pressure is also put on the river bed soil.

What if the government adopted a more permanent solution in terms of accommodation and other facilities for the pilgrims in the same location or somewhere close by? Would that save a lot of time and money every year?

Hence this dissertation strives to explore the above-mentioned possibilities and address the ultimate question - “THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?�

TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES

VII

LIST OF FIGURES

VII

1. INTRODUCTION

1

1.1 INTRODUCTION

1

1.2 AIM

1

1.3 OBJECTIVE

1

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

2

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

2

1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2

1.7 ANTICIPATED FINDINGS

2

2. AN OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATURE CASE STUDIES AND LIVE CASE STUDY 3 2.1 SIMILARITIES WITH THE KUMBH

4

2.1.1 HAJJ

4

2.1.2 BURNING MAN FESTIVAL

4

2.1.3 RANN UTSAV

4

3. LITERATURE CASE STUDIES

6

3.1 HAJJ, MECCA

6

3.1.1 THE BELIEF, THE STORY

6

3.1.2 THE TENT CITY - MINA

6

3.1.3 THE PAST

8

3.1.4 PLANNING OF THE TENT CITY OF MINA

8

3.1.5 MATERIALS USED TO CONSTRUCT THE TENT

9

3.1.6 CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN MINA AND MECCA

9

3.2 BURNING MAN FESTIVAL, NEVADA U.S.A

14

3.2.1 WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS

14

3.2.1.1 THE 10 PRINCIPLES OF ‘BURNING MAN’

15

3.2.2 SETTING UP THE TEMPORAL CITY

17

3.2.2.1 ARRANGEMENT OF CAMPS/ PREFERENCE GIVEN TO SET UP CAMPS BASED ON ITS ACTIVITY

19

3.2.2.2 ON-PLAYA RESOURCES

21

3.2.3 BUILDING TYPOLOGIES

26

3.2.3.1 HEYARUTS

26

3.2.3.2 SHIFTPODS

28

3.2.4 TRANSPORTATION

30

3.2.5 HEALTH AND SANTITATION

31

3.2.6 HOW SUSTAINABILE IS THE BURNING MAN?

32

3.3 RANN UTSAV

35

3.3.1 WHAT ACTUALLY IT IS

35

3.3.2 HOW IT CAME ABOUT INTO EXISTENCE

36

3.3.3 FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE

37

3.3.4 THE TENT CITY OF DHORDO

37

3.3.5 TYPES OF TENTS AT DHORDO

38

3.3.5.1 THE DARBARI SUITE

39

3.3.5.2 THE RAJWADI SUITE

40

3.3.5.3 THE PREMIUM TENTS

41

3.3.5.4 THE DELUXE AC SWISS COTTAGES

42

3.3.5.5 NON-AC SWISS COTTAGES

43

3.3.6 IMPACT OF INTRODUCTION OF THIS TEMPORARY SETTLEMENT ON THE STATE OF GUJARAT

44

3.3.6.1 REALISATION OF THE TENT CITY THROUGH PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP)

44

4. COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION FROM LITERATURE CASE STUDIES 48 4.1 HAJJ

48

4.2 THE BURNING MAN FESTIVAL

49

4.3 RANN UTSAV

49

5. LIVE CASE STUDY - KUMBH MELA, ALLAHABAD

50

5.1 THE BELIEF, THE STORY

51

5.2 THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCES

52

5.3 SETTING UP OF THE TEMPORAL CITY

53

5.4 ROADS

57

5.5 BRIDGES

58

5.6 LAND & LAND ALLOTMENT

60

5.7 BUILDING TYPOLOGIES AND MATERIALS USED

62

5.7.1 THE TENTS

62

5.7.1.1 CORRUGATED GI SHEETS - A VERSATILE MATERIAL

64

5.7.2 OTHER BUILDING TYPOLOGIES

65

5.8 HEALTH AND SANITATION

67

5.9 PROCEDURE & MECHANISMS OF DECONSTRUCTION

68

5.9.1 AKHADAS AND ASHRAMS

68

5.9.2 WASTE WATER / GREY WATER DISPOSAL

69

5.9.3 PWD

69

5.9.4 ELECTRIC POLES

70

5.9.5 OTHER DECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

70

5.10 INTERVIEWS, SURVEYS AND WHAT THE LOCALS HAD TO SAY

71

6. CONCLUSION

72

BIBLIOGRAPHY

XI

APPENDIX 1 – QUESTIONNAIRE USED FOR INTERVIEW DURING THE LIVE CASE STUDY

XV

APPENDIX 2 – NOTES TAKEN DURING INTERVIEW 1

XVI

APPENDIX 3 – NOTES TAKEN DURING INTERVIEW 2

XVI

APPENDIX 4 – NOTES TAKEN DURING INTERVIEW 3

XVII

APPENDIX 5 – NOTES TAKEN DURING INTERVIEW 4

XVIII

LIST OF TABLES TABLE 2.1 OVERVIEW OF ALL THE CASE STUDIES TABLE 3.3.6.1 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES COVERED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF RANN UTSAV UNDER THE PPP MODEL. TABLE 3.3.6.2 BENEFITS OF THE PPP MODEL SUMMARIZED IN TWO ESSENTIAL ASPECTS PROJECT EXECUTION AND SOCIAL UPLIFTMENT.

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1 Graph showing the duration of each event

5

Figure 2.2 Graph showing the no. of visitors to each event

5

Figure 2.3 Graph showing area covered by each event

5

Figure 3.1.1 Mina the Tent City

7

Figure 3.1.2 Location of Mina in the world and distance from Mina to Mecca

7

Figure 3.1.3 Interior of the tents

8

Figure 3.1.4 An overview of the tents

8

Figure 3.1.5 An aerial view of the tent city, Mina

9

Figure 3.1.6 The Abraj Kudai hotel, the largest hotel in the world, as it will appear when completed

10

Figure 3.1.7 The towers of the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, as visible from the mosque

12

Figure 3.1.8 The Jabal Omar development, also under construction. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 3.1.9 This is how the northern side of the Grand Mosque will look like. The black Kabba is a tiny speck on the bottom right.

Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 3.1.10 An aerial view of the Grand mosque and its surrounding developements

13

Figure 3.2.1 Installations at the Burning Man

14

Figure 3.2.2 The burning effigy of 'The Man'

14

Figure 3.2.3 An Ariel view of the Black Rock City

17

Figure 3.2.4 Layout of the Black Rock City

19

Figure 3.2.5 Medical personnel interacting with the participants

22

Figure 3.2.6 Overview of center camp cafe

23

Figure 3.2.7 Center Camp Cafe

23

Figure 3.2.8 Burn garden

24

Figure 3.2.9 Burn garden

24

Figure 3.2.10 Street signs in Black Rock City

25

Figure 3.2.11 Street signs in Black Rock City

25

Figure 3.2.12 Street signs in Black Rock City

25

Figure 3.2.13 Different types of Hexayurts

26

Figure 3.2.14 Different types of hexayurts; method of construction of a hexayurt.

Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 3.2.15 Shiftpods

28

Figure 3.2.16 Shiftpods being used for disaster management

29

Figure 3.2.17 Sheletrpod – a newer adaptation of the Shiftpod

30

Figure 3.2.18 Burning man porta-portties

31

Figure 3.2.19 Before and after the mooping of the playa

32

Figure 3.2.20 Figure showing the process of line sweeping

33

Figure 3.2.21 Participants doing the line sweep of the playa

34

Figure 3.2.22 2016 Moop Map

34

Figure 3.3.1 The cultural programs at the Rann of Kutch

35

Figure 3.3.2 Overview of the tent city of Dhordo at night

36

Figure 3.3.3 View of the tents during night time

37

Figure 3.3.4 Aerial view of the tent city

37

Figure 3.3.5 Dressing area

39

Figure 3.3.6 Attached toilet

39

Figure 3.3.7 Living Area

39

Figure 3.3.8 The bedroom

Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 3.3.9 The Sit out

40

Figure 3.3.10 The Bedroom

40

Figure 3.3.11 Attached dressing room

40

Figure 3.3.12 Attached toilet

41

Figure 3.3.13 Attached toilet

41

Figure 3.3.14 The informal seating

41

Figure 3.3.15 The Bedroom

41

Figure 3.3.16 Attached toilet

42

Figure 3.3.17 The Bedroom

42

Figure 3.3.18 Sitting area

42

Figure 3.3.19 Attached bathroom

42

Figure 3.3.20 Twin beds

43

Figure 3.3.21 Informal seating

43

Figure 3.3.22 Attached bathroom

43

Figure 3.3.23 High speed fan is provided

43

Figure 4.1 Near the tents and between the rocky mountains of the neighbourhood, the government recently erected six identical towers to accommodate the soaring numbers of pilgrims. Each tower room approximately costs $3000 per night.

48

Figure 5.1 Triveni Sangam

50

Figure 5.2 Location of Allahabad

50

Figure 5.3 View of the Sangam

51

Figure 5.4 People bathing in the Sangam

51

Figure 5.5 Picture showing the various sectors of the Kumbh

53

Figure 5.6 Pictures showing the receding of the Ganga, Yamuna River and the process of setting up the temporal city

54

Figure 5.7 Layout plan of the 2001 Kumbh

55

Figure 5.8 Layout plan of the 1989 Kumbh

55

Figure 5.9 During the Mela

56

Figure 5.10 Before the Mela

56

Figure 5.11 Materials used in road construction and the procedure

57

Figure 5.12 Different types of roads at the Mela

58

Figure 5.13 Pontoon bridges

58

Figure 5.14 The Pipa

59

Figure 5.15 Construction process of a Pipa

60

Figure 5.16 Pictures showing the typical tents at the Kumbh Mela

62

Figure 5.17 Typical materials used to construct a tent; Interior of a typical tent at the Kumbh Mela.

63

Figure 5.18 Exterior of the tents

63

Figure 5.19 The different uses of GI sheet

64

Figure 5.20 Different typologies of structures at the Mela

64

Figure 5.21 Sector 1 Magistrate Office

65

Figure 5.22 Police station and Police watchtower

65

Figure 5.23 Portable toilets

67

Figure 5.24 The different kinds of toilets

68

Figure 5.25 The Mela Prashasan - The Main Office

71

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1

INTRODUCTION

The Kumbh Mela is an extreme case of religious congregation. 5 million people over 55 days come to take a dip in the holy Triveni Sangam. This influx of people generates a temporary settlement almost every year at Prayag, Allahabad.

This dissertation aims to study similar such ephemeral landscapes of religion, draw parallels and hence assess the Kumbh Mela scenario to see if a permanent solution would be possible.

1.2

AIM

This dissertation aims to find out if a permanent solution can be proposed to the pilgrims of the Kumbh Mela.

1.3

OBJECTIVE

To study the driving forces behind putting up temporary architectural elements and how time is also a major influence in deciding the materials used and the architectural style. Each case study is also explored to see if the building typologies have applications in other fields too.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

1.4

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

Research is limited to the specific literature case studies chosen which share a few similarities with the case of the Kumbh Mela. Parameters from these case studies are used for the live case study on the Kumbh. Data collection on site was done by a non-probable sampling method of expert sampling. Interaction on-site is also limited to a handful of very specific officials in charge of the Magh/ Kumbh Mela.

1.5

RESEARCH QUESTION

This dissertation questions the temporary nature of the Kumbh and tries to analyse if a permanent solution can be provided for the same.

1.6

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This dissertation aims to first study and analyse the various temporary cities in the world. Deriving parameters from these studies, a live case study at the Kumbh Mela site will be done to first understand how the city is set up, what are the facilities provided and hence find out if a permanent solution can be given.

1.7

ANTICIPATED FINDINGS

This dissertation strives to find out if there a possibility that the temporariness of the Kumbh can be replaced with permanence.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

2. AN OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATURE CASE STUDIES AND LIVE CASE STUDY This dissertation will be looking at ephemeral landscapes of religion and celebration similar to the Kumbh in terms of area, frequency of occurrence, no. of visitors. The specific case studies chosen for this purpose are the HAJJ, Mecca; BURNING MAN FESTIVAL, Nevada Dessert, U.S.A and the RANN UTSAV at the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.

Name

Place of

of

occurrence

Duration Frequency of

festival

Last

No. of

occurrence

people

occurrence

who attend the event

Kumbh

Allahabad,

Mela

Haridwar,

55 days

Once in

14th January

12,00,00,00

every 3 years

2013 – 25

0

Ujjan, Nasik

th

February 2013

Hajj

Mecca,

5 days

Every year

4 months

Every year

3,00,00,000

Saudi Arabia Rann

Rann of

Utsav

Kutch,

2017, -3

Gujarat

March 2018

Burning

Nevada

Man

desert, U.S.A

festival

1st November

1,50,000

rd

9 days

Every year

26th August 2017 – 3

rd

September 2017

TABLE 2.1 OVERVIEW OF ALL THE CASE STUDIES

67,000

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

2.1 SIMILARITIES WITH THE KUMBH The modus operandi of all the chosen case studies - which is religion and celebration - are similar to the Kumbh.

2.1.1 HAJJ The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for every Muslim man who is economically and physically able to carry out the procedures. The Kumbh - even though isn’t a must for every Hindu - is considered as the ultimate spiritual experience for one for cleanse away their sins. Hajj and the Kumbh have a very strong religious force that forms the basis of the settlement.

2.1.2 BURNING MAN FESTIVAL The Burning Man Festival resembles the Kumbh in terms of its area, size and scale. Although Kumbh is the largest ephemeral mega city, the Burning Man festival comes in a close second. People over here bring their own materials to set up their respective places of accommodation. A through clean-up process is undertaken by the participants once the festival comes to a close. Sustainability is a major requirement here.

2.1.3 RANN UTSAV The tent services at the Kumbh have been provided by Lallooji and Sons right from 1920. These are the same contractors who provide luxury tent services for the Rann Utsav. Two very contrasting scenarios where the same contractor is employed by the state. Also, this case study looks into how these temporary building typologies can be adapted for a luxurious getaway.

The graphs below depict a comparative analysis of the chosen literature case studies with the live case study in question on 3 broad fields, namely – number of people who attend the event (figure 1), Duration of the event (figure 2), Area of the temporary settlement (figure 3).

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Figure 2.1 Graph showing the no. of visitors to each event

Figure 2.2 Graph showing the duration of each event

Figure 2.3 Graph showing area covered by each event

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

3. LITERATURE CASE STUDIES 3.1 HAJJ, Mecca “Proclaim to men the pilgrimage: they will come to thee on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every remote path.” – Quran

3.1.1 THE BELIEF, THE STORY The Haj Pilgrimage is undertaken during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, between the 8th and 12th to be precise. It coincides with the holiest Muslim festival called Eid al-Adha. Every Muslim who is physically and financially able is required to perform this five-day long pilgrimage called Hajj at least once in their lifetime, as it is the 5th pillar of Islam. The other four are Shahadah (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakath (charity) and Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan).

Pilgrims wear plain, white garments (Ihram). Men and women dress simply and plainly so that the focus in on the pilgrimage and not their wealth or status.It is during this time that the pilgrims stay in tents in the 20 square kilometer valley of Mina.

3.1.2 THE TENT CITY - MINA Mina is situated about 8 km to the east of Mecca and is a small city located in a low lying valley in the Makkh province. This valley is covered with tents, as far as the eye can see, properly arranged in a grid-iron like pattern. These tents become home for the Hajj pilgrims during the five days of each Haj season.

The rest of the year, Mina is shunned.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Figure 3.1.1 Location of Mina in the world and distance from Mina to Mecca

Figure 1 Mina the Tent City

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Pilgrims from all over the world leave behind the comforts of civilisation and dissolve class and cultural distinctions to come stay here as part on their fiveday pilgrimage. The tent city is where a lot of pilgrims irrespective of their myriad cultural and financial backgrounds stay. The average cost incurred by each pilgrim is $500. Most of these tents are air conditioned and can accommodate around 50 people

Figure 3.1.3 An overview of the tents

Figure 3.1.4 Interior of the tents

3.1.3 THE PAST In the old days, pilgrims used to bring and put up their own tents in the plains of Mina. This practice continued for around hundred years, till the late 20th century when the Saudi government decided to alleviate the pilgrim’s burden of carrying their own tent, by putting up permanent cotton tents. The present fireproof tent city with bridges, walkways, health facilities was built after a horrendous fire killed 350 pilgrims in 1997.

3.1.4 PLANNING OF THE TENT CITY OF MINA The city of Mina has several camps containing the tents. Each camp has its own exterior wall and is linked to the other camps by pathways. Other facilities of the camp include a kitchen, bathrooms and ablution centers. The tents are colour-coded and numbered country-wise. The haajis are provided with

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

respective badges, in case they get lost.

Figure 2 An aerial view of the tent city, Mina

3.1.5 MATERIALS USED TO CONSTRUCT THE TENT The 8mx8m tents are constructed using fiberglass coated with Teflon, which makes it fire resistant. The tents were made fire resistant as a precautionary measure after a massive fire killed 350 pilgrims in Mina in 1997. There are more than 100,000 air conditioned tents which house around 3 million pilgrims.

3.1.6 CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN MINA AND MECCA Tourists that travel to Saudi Arabia are mostly pilgrims, especially to Mecca where non-Muslims are not allowed.Mecca is brimming with pilgrims and tourists not just during the Hajj season when it accommodates 3 million pilgrims, but also during the rest of the year when close to 20 million people visit the city.

This has led the authorities to do away with residential infrasctructure and heritage sites to make way for infrastructure to accommodate pilgrims.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

As a result of this, in the past few years the city of Mecca has seen tremendous expansion in size and infrastructure. The Abraj Al Bait, a mega complex consisting of seven skyscraper hotels that overlooks the Kaaba; the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel; Jabal Omar development, in which 40 residential towers that will accommodate 160,000 Islamic pilgrims, and a prayer area for200,000 worshippers has been proposed; Jeddah Tower are some of

Figure 3.1.6 The Abraj Kudai hotel, the largest hotel in the world, as it will appear when completed

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

themany upcoming high-rise structures there. The Grand Mosque itself is undergoing a USD 50 billion expansion to double the capacity of its prayer halls

Figure 3.1.8 The Jabal Omar development, also under construction.

Figure 4 This is how the northern side of the Grand Mosque will look like. The black Kabba is a tiny speck on the bottom right..

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

to 7 million.

This trend of the growing number of skyscrapers can also be explained by the urge to feel or be as close to the Kaaba, the sacred centre, as possible.

Buildings in this area are becoming more tower-like and tapered so that they can get a view of the Kaaba. As a result, the value of real estate around the Grand Mosque is ridiculously high. A square foot in that area is sold for around $18,000.

Plans are being made to introduce a new high-speed rail service connecting Jeddah with Mecca and Medina to accommodate the growing influx of pilgrims.

The King Abdul Aziz international airport in Jeddah is also set to undergo renovation and expansion to accommodate 80 million passengers a year, four times its current capacity.

Figure 3.1.7 The towers of the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, as visible from the mosque

The Jeddah Tower, which is to be constructed in Jeddah is anticipated to be over a kilometer tall. When completed, it will outrank the Burj Khalifa as the tallest building in the world.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

But the irony is evident as quoted by Irfan al-Alawi, executive director of the UK-based Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, "It is the end of Mecca; and for what? Most of these hotels are 50% vacant and the malls are empty – the rents are too expensive for the former souk stall-holders. And people praying in the new mosque extension will not even be able to see the Kaaba."1

Figure 3.1.10 An aerial view of the Grand mosque and its surrounding developments

1

As quoted by Irfan al-Alawi, executive director of the UK-based Islamic Heritage Research Foundation.

Amusing Planet. (2018). The Mega Hotels of Mecca. [online] Available at: http://www.amusingplanet.com/2017/11/the-mega-hotels-of-mecca.html

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

3.2 BURNING MAN FESTIVAL, Nevada U.S.A As the name suggests, Burning Man Festival (BM) gathers annually around the colossal effigy of a 'man', which is ceremoniously burnt on the Saturday night of the celebration. With humble beginnings on a San Francisco beach, BM is a festival of performing and visual arts that has long been associated with a markedly creative audience.

Frequently referred to as 'Black Rock City' and 'the Playa', the BM has been credited with creating 'more artistic expressions in more media per square foot than anywhere else on earth' Black rock city is a temporary city built in Nevada’s beautiful, remote, and inhabitable black rock desert. Participants are responsible for their own survival, safety, wellbeing, and leaving no trace. But more importantly, they are the ones that create this event by itself. No participation would mean no black rock city.

Figure 3.2.1 The burning effigy of 'The Man'

Figure 3.2.2 Installations at the Burning Man

3.2.1 WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS People’s organic self-expression and self-reliance form the corner stone of the burning man festival, since the annual temporary community is created and curated by the socialization, art and performance of the attendees.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Participants implement these principles with experiential and creative contributions: they create and interact with theme camps, installations and performance, they embellish their bodies with costume, and they donate to the festival through various forms of voluntary labour.

3.2.1.1 THE 10 PRINCIPLES OF ‘BURNING MAN’ Larry Harvey, co-founder, Burning Man, wrote the Ten Principles in 2004 as guideline for the participants. These rules emerged as a reflection of the community’s ethos and behaviour during the previous editions of the event.

They were never meant to be dictated upon the participants. Given below are the 10 principles2 as stated in the official Burning man website. i.

Radical Inclusion Anyone may be a part of Burning Man. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community.

ii.

Gifting Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value.

iii.

Decommodification In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, the community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising.

iv.

Radical Self-reliance Burning Man encourages the individual to discover, exercise and rely on his or her inner resources.

v.

Radical Self-expression Radical self-expression arises from the unique gifts of the individual. No one other than the individual or a collaborating group can determine its

2

As stated in Burning Man. (2018). The 10 Principles of Burning Man. [online] Available at:

https://burningman.org/culture/philosophical-center/10-principles.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

content. It is offered as a gift to others. In this spirit, the giver should respect the rights and liberties of the recipient. vi.

Communal Effort The community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.

vii.

Civic Responsibility Civil society is given a lot of importance by the community. Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume responsibility for conducting events in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

viii.

Leaving No Trace The community respects the environment. The participants are committed to leaving no physical trace of their activities. They are required to clean up after themselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when they found them.

ix.

Participation The community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play. Transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation.

x.

Immediacy Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value. One seeks to overcome barriers that stand between her/him and a recognition of her/his inner self, the reality of those around, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

3.2.2 SETTING UP THE TEMPORAL CITY The spatial, organizational and aesthetic dimensions of Burning Man, all resonate with its critical position. Situated in a dry expanse of the Nevada desert, the monolithic main stage of a conventional music festival is

Figure 3.2.3 An Ariel view of the Black Rock City

conspicuously absent; instead, convivial space is made up of a milieu of small tents, stages and geodesic structures littered along a series of concentric and radial roads in close proximity across the sand. An “open playa” is reserved for art installations. The BLM (The U.S. Bureau of Land Management) establishes a buffer zone on the playa around the event site—no camping is allowed in this area.

Rod Garrett is the architect of Black Rock City. He designed it in association with Larry Harvey, Will Roger and Harley Dubois. The Center Camp and The Temple of Enlightenment were designed by Garrett in 2001. The circular alley around Center Camp, which Garrett designed, is named Rod’s Road in order to honour his invaluable contributions to the Burning Man community.

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Structures are arranged in a semicircular configuration, with a large open space in the center home to the 'Man'; a towering effigy skillfully constructed.

Longitude and latitude are replaced with 'times' on a 'clock'. Hundreds of features, lacking clear demarcations on the land aside from makeshift signage, are marked out on upon a clock-face map given to attendees as they enter.

The white circle, directly underneath the symbol of the man, represents 'centre camp' - a nucleus of activity within the encampments and the only place on site where it is possible to purchase anything, though this is restricted to coffee and ice. On Figure 3.2.4 below, the avenues and streets marked out on the upper left reference The Body' - a previous theme, chosen for the millennial event.

CIVIC PLAZAS Civic plazas are the places where the participants get together and engage in activities to make the space more dynamic and animated. Camps on the immediate periphery of these plazas are encouraged to conduct such events.

These spaces host art installations, service camps, First Aid stations and Black Rock Ranger Outposts. The first set of civic plazas are situated on both sides of the city, at 3:00 & 9:00 on Breath Street. Mid-city rings of plazas are positioned on Genuflect Street at 3:00, 4:30, 7:30, and 9:00, and on Inspirit Street at 6:00. A sizeable area between 2:00 and 5:00, past Lustrate Street, is set aside for Walk-In Camping. The sheer difficulty of this exercise of camping without cars, keeps Walk-In Camping sparsely populated.

Figure 3.2.4 below is a simplified portrayal of the site's basic layout.

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Figure 3.2.4 Layout of the Black Rock City

3.2.2.1 ARRANGEMENT OF CAMPSPREFERENCE GIVEN TO SET UP CAMPS BASED ON ITS ACTIVITY The Esplanade and Portals This is the first street at the front of the city and faces the Man. It is reserved for camps that have: 

24-hour interactivity



Completely conceived visual scheme

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

Playa-frontage needs - the potential for art installations across the Esplanade



No Large Scale Sound Art, but the Esplanade and adjacent areas are generally louder than other zones



Activities and events for all ages

3:00, 4:30, 7:30 and 9:00 Avenues 

These are high visibility locations on the radial streets



Located within the city limits, close to the playa front



This is for fun interactive camps without need for playa frontage

6:00 Center Camp 

Visually interesting



Theme-related is a plus



Activities and events for ALL AGES



Demonstrating Burner ethos



24 hr activity, but quieter at night time

3:00 and 9:00 at B Street 

Highly interactive camps that fit into the plaza area “groove”



Service camps desired to create mini civic centers

3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30 and 9:00 Mid-City Plazas 

Plazas positioned mid-city



For camps that can serve to anchor these interactive locations as destination points

2:00 & 10:00 Large Scale Sound Art 

Situated at the periphery of the city, these areas are reserved for camps with large sound systems and are systematically filled depending on space availability.

Large Theme Camps and Villages 

To accommodate larger camps, double-deep blocks have been reserved within the city

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3.2.2.2 ON-PLAYA RESOURCES Like any other metropolis, Black Rock City has essential infrastructure and community services.

Ice Sales Ice is sold at Arctica in Center Camp as crushed ice or in blocks for $4 per bag.

During the event, it is sold from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, ice is sold from 12pm to 6 pm.

Information There is a robust and efficient system to dissipate and find information which compensates for the lack of internet here. Public Theme Camp locations are indicated in the BRC map. Events, messages and general information is posted on bulletin boards available. Playa Info, open from 9am to 6pm, in Center Camp is managed by knowledgeable volunteers ready to answer any questions.

The Playa Info Directory 24/7 can be used to register oneself and their camp location. It can also be used to look up friends, or find and post Theme Camp locations, event schedules, rideshares, services, and information.

Law Enforcement The site is supervised by Bureau of Land Management Rangers and Special Agents, and Pershing County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Crisis Intervention Services Black Rock City can be a hyper-stimulating place. Trained counselors from the Zendo Project (run by the participants near 5:15 and Awe Street) and the Sanctuary team of the Black Rock Rangers are there to take care of the participants if necessary.

BMIR 94.5 FM BMIR, 94.5 FM or the Burning Man Information Radio is a 24 hour radio station which

broadcasts

travel

updates,

emergengy

warnings,

community

programming and other general information. One can also listen to BMIR on mobile phones via iHeartRadio.com Participants can also record promos for any of their events, between 12pm and 4pm daily during the festival.

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Emergency Medical Services Participants are encouraged to bring their own first aid kid and medications, stay hydrated, and act responsibly. Six Medical Stations are located at 5:15 and Esplanade and behind the 3:00 and 9:00 Plazas, for times of emergencies.

There are also three smaller satellite stations behind the 4:30 and 7:30 Plazas on H, and between the Temple and the Man. A large, brightly lit red cross makes the camps easy to identify. There are also Emergency Services Department volunteers or Black Rock Rangers who can be contacted in times of emergency for guidance.

Figure 3.2.5 Medical personnel interacting with the participants

Press & Media Written permission is required from the authorities to film any commercial videos or photos which are not for personal use.

Lost & Found Lost & Found center at Playa Info stocks up on all lost items in the site. After the event, whether you have lost or found something, one can send an email to lostandfound@burningman.org.

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Center Camp Café The Center Camp Café is a tensometric structure, always bustling with energy, 24 hours a day. Coffee, tea and other non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase here. The Café is well-equipped with performance & gallery spaces, and also relaxation areas. Hence it is essentially a place where the burning man community interact. There are often performances by fellow participants.

Figure 3.2.6 Center Camp Cafe

Figure 3.2.7 Overview of center camp cafe

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Airport & Pilot Policies BRC operates a temporary private airport (FAA identifier 88NV) at the southernmost point of the pentagon fence, accessed from the city. Any piloted aircraft flying to BRC, must land at this Airport. All pilots must pre-register at airport.burningman.org, which contains valuable information for passengers as well as pilots. They must have a ticket and pay the $60 per person passenger fee.

Burn Gardens Metal platforms for burning wood are located at Esplanade. Participants are allowed to burn wood as well as donate new and unused lumber at the Burn Gardens. However, burning of toxic and/or synthetic materials (eg: furniture, sofas, PVC pipes) is prohibited. Burn Garden attendants will be on site to support participants’ wood burning needs.

Figure 3.2.8 Burn garden

Figure 3.2.9 Burn garden

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Telephone Service In the interest of Immediacy (see the 10 Principles), cellphone use is highly discouraged in BRC. However,limited cell service and public telephones are available in the town of Gerlach, 12 miles away.

Recycle Camp Recycle Camp directly behind the Center Camp CafĂŠ at 6:00. It recycles used, empty aluminum cans, (plastic, tin, or steel are not accepted) between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Sunday.

In and Out Fee Casual traffic in and out of BRC is strongly discouraged. Participants who leave and return by private automobile are required to pay a $20 per person fee

Figure 3.2.10 Street signs in Black Rock City

Figure 3.2.12 Street signs in Black Rock City

Figure 3.2.11 Street signs in Black Rock City

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3.2.3 BUILDING TYPOLOGIES Burning man being a participant driven festival, doesn’t have any standard tents for accommodation or places to stay that are used every year. This results in a plethora of temporary accommodation on site. These are mostly DIY variants of the humble tent. People come up with their own ideas for a more comfortable stay which also reflects their personality in some ways. Some of these ideas have gone on to become major success stories even outside the festival. Their uses and application have surpassed the needs of the festival. A few such typologies are explored here.

3.2.3.1 HEYARUTS

Figure 3.2.13 Different types of Hexayurts

The Hexayurt is a simple, free, generic open source appropriate technology shelter which is designed to replace tents in many applications. The basic shape of these were invented by Vinay Gupta and were placed in public domain so that others could develop his original idea further to suit their own needs.

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Its unique feature is that it can be mass produced from a wide range of Figure 3.2.14 Different types of hexayurts; method of construction of a hexayurt.

materials in simple or even improvised factories, or field-fabricated in a few hours with semi-skilled labor. The design of the Hexayurt is inspired from a tent traditionally used by the nomad community, the Yurt. A Yurt is typically made of meters of cloth wrapped around a wooden frame and is very sturdy. It is generally less prone to winds, spacious and easy to heat or cool and generally weighs around 30 pounds.

3.2.3.1.1 WHAT MAKES A HEXAYURT UNIQUE What makes the Hexayurt unique is that its geometry has been modified so that its entire structure is created from standard 4’x8’ panels.

The Hexayurts are made from only one kind of triangle - an 8'x8' isosceles triangle. A 4’x8’ panel is cut and/or taped to form these triangles. Triangles are cut from six panels to form the roof and six more form the walls. The building is often assembled with strong tape and glued like a tent.

These features are more user-friendly than the strangely-shaped triangles which are standard for Fuller-style geodesic domes. Thus, the Hexayurt becomes a zero-waste structure. In the case of a hexayurt, it easier to build domes from materials like plywood, insulation, plastic, cardboard and more.

The Hexayurt does very well in moderate winds (30-40 mph winds).

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3.2.3.1.2 HEXAYURT AND THE PLAYA From the first one built in 2003, which was only a little bigger than a tent, to the varying sizes (50 sqft to 500sqft) available now, the hexayurt has come a long way. Typically one can see about 100 of these silver huts annually at the festival. The building materials make up a total cost of $300 which people buy ahead of time. Cutting the pieces required usually takes about a day’s worth of time whereas assembling it takes only 2 hours in the presence of a small group of people. Although this time can be delayed if there is wind or dust storm.

The Hexayurt stays relatively cool in the desert. Its shiny surface reflects away a lot of the sun's heat. The inside of the tent is made more habitable by the usage of mix of pump sprays and swamp coolers. Some hexayurts are also airconditioned.

3.2.3.2 SHIFTPODS

Figure 3.2.15 Shiftpods

Shiftpods were the result of Christian Weber wanting to make a better version of the already existing Hexayurt. To quote him, “I started to think about [adapting] the walls of a hexayurt together so they fold up into one piece. I

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

thought about doing it with fabric. I got my origami book out and did some drawings.”

The Shiftpod was thus born. A sturdy, insulated, easy-to-construct camping shelter weighing 64 pounds that was easy to transport. The dimensions of a shiftpod - 77”x13”x13” - make it big enough to accommodate a queen-sized bed and plenty of gear. Most people can stand up in it.

3.2.3.2.1 BEYOND THE PLAYA

Figure 3.2.16 Shiftpods being used for disaster management

Although the shelters were built with Burning Man’s uncompromising conditions in mind, Burning man attendees, now make up less than half of Weber’s customers. Attendees of other festivals have also become dedicated buyers.

The newer versions of the shiftpods are currently on sale for $1299 a 13% reduction from their full price of $1499. They were originally sold for $800.

Beyond serving as a lifestyle accommodation for festivals, these shiftpods have come to be used as shelters for disaster and emergency management. They’re in Haiti, Japan, Nepal and Greece. The city of Honolulu was gifted 200

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Shiftpods by the ASSI (Advanced Shelter Systems Inc) along with a software company, to help house the homeless in Hawaii. During the month of June 2017, Operation Triton 32 was carried out by local, state and federal agencies

Figure 3.2.17 Sheletrpod – a newer adaptation of the Shiftpod

in Cape Blanco, Oregon, U.S.A. This was an emergency management exercise to familiarize the military, police and local first responders with the procedures to be followed in case of a catastrophic earthquake. ASSI brought some of its Shiftpods and new products, including the Shelterpod (see figure 3.2.17) and Responsepod.

3.2.4 TRANSPORTATION Black Rock City is a pedestrian-friendly metropolis which also facilitates the use of cycles. Participants must park their vehicle at their respective campsite.

Black Rock City allows public agency vehicles specially marked BRC department service vehicles, and vehicles licensed by the Department of Mutant Vehicles (DMV) to drive in the City or on the open playa. Non-mutated vehicles intended for recreational driving, including motorcycles, large scooters, and ATVs, are NOT permitted inside the BRC.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

3.2.5 HEALTH AND SANTITATION Portable toilets called PORTA-POTTIES banks are distributed throughout the city between Ceremony & Dance and Hallowed & Inspirit. At 6:00 there are banks between Fire & Genuflect, and Inspirit & Juju, and at 3:00 and 9:00, there are banks between Eulogy & Fire. These portable toilets are also located the open playa on either side of the Man and near the temple. To help one find the potties, they are marked by solar-powered light poles topped with blue lights.

Figure 3.2.18 Burning man porta-portties

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3.2.6 HOW SUSTAINABLE IS THE BURNING MAN?

Figure 3.2.19 Before and after the mooping of the playa

The Burning Man Festival takes place in the heart of the Black Rock DesertHigh Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. This is part of the United States’ National Conservation Lands, a special designation given by the U.S. Government to some of the most scenic, culturally rich, scientifically important, public lands in the country. Hence the festival is equally committed to respecting and protecting this special place.

Therefore, Burning Man is the largest ‘Leave No Trace (LNT)’ event in the world. It is up to all of the participants to remove all ‘Matter Out of Place (MOOP)’ from Black Rock City (BRC). There is no garbage collection service in BRC. Everything one brings might become trash. According to the festival’s permit with BLM (The U.S. Bureau of Land Management), a very short window of time only is provided to restore the playa to its original condition. BLM

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stipulations can be satisfied and pass inspection if all citizens share in the responsibility to line sweep (refer figure 3.2.20) their camps and the city. As a citizen of BRC, the participants are asked to join their neighbors for a community clean-up on Sunday and Monday after the Burn for two hours of MOOPing in addition to their own camp clean up.

A volunteer-led environmental compliance and LNT outreach team made up of Earth Guardians and Black Rock Rangers aims to help participants with day-today environmental issues like vehicle oil leaks and waste-water spills.

Participants may face a citation or eviction if oil and waste-water spills caused by them aren’t addressed.

Step 1: Participants line up

Step 2: Participants spread out with one arm’s distance

Step 3: Participants moop out

Figure 3.2.20 Figure showing the process of line sweeping

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Figure 3.2.21 2016 Moop Map

Figure 3.2.22 Participants doing the line sweep of the playa

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3.3 RANN UTSAV 3.3.1 WHAT ACTUALLY IT IS The Rann Utsav is held during the full moon nights of the winter, in the Kutch region of Gujarat. The colourful and exuberant display of festivity contrasts the white, arid and rather plain landscape of the desert. The carnival exposes the visitor to the rich plethora of local talent which is a reflection of their indigenous culture and heritage.

This carnival organized at the various locales within Kutch, takes one around the natural grandiose of the white desert while introducing the visitor to the indigenous cultural and ethnic flavor of the people.

Figure 3.3.1 The cultural programs at the Rann of Kutch

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Figure 3.3.2 Overview of the tent city of Dhordo at night

3.3.2 HOW IT CAME ABOUT INTO EXISTENCE The Rann Utsav was brought into existence in the year 2008. The Rann Utsav festival has been beckoning foreigners, desert lovers and travelers in India since 2008. The festival was the brainchild of the current Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, then the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Although many were very skeptical of this idea, his vision and persistence paved the way for one of the most anticipated annual events in Gujarat, attracting visitors from across the globe.

At a time when the Kutch region and Gujarat as a whole was trying its best to recoup after the earthquake of 2006, the then chief minister of the state, Shri Narendra Modi, visualized this festival to create a new identity mark on the global tourism map for this region.

During the Rann Utsav Festival, transportation, accommodation, food and guide is provided by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd.

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3.3.3 FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE This is an annual festival that occurs during the winter season for approximately three months, starting from November and going up till mid or the end of February.

3.3.4 THE TENT CITY OF DHORDO

Figure 3.3.3 Aerial view of the tent city

Figure 3.3.4 View of the tents during night time

This walled tent city, is set up near a small village called Dhordo, easily accessible from the Bhuj airport. It consists of more than 400 AC and non-AC tents. The tents can be broadly divided into two categories- Swiss tents and Luxury tents. Apart from the two enormous dining halls which serve scrumptious authentic Kutchi cuisine there are food stalls that cater to the hunger calls at the odd hours of night. Every amenity that one would need due to the vast climatic conditions of the desert is provided for. Room-heaters and air-conditioners to a 24/7 hours of hot water supply in the middle of the desert, everything is taken care of. The tent city also has a market place, exhibition centre and an adventure zone.

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3.3.5 TYPES OF TENTS AT DHORDO Sprawling across an area of 5,00,000 sq. mt., the Dhordo tent city, is the perfect blend of rustic charm with the luxury of urban amenities. Annually, around 350 luxury Swiss cottage tents are set up. These tents services have been provided by The Lallooji & Sons company from the inception of the Utsav in 2008. These are the same contractors who have been setting up the Kumbh Mela temporal city from 1920. These tents are of a temporary nature but retained throughout the year.

The types of accommodation vary with respect to the amenities provided.

These are: 

The Darbari Suite



The Rajwadi Suite



The Premium Tents



Deluxe AC Swiss Cottages



Non-AC Swiss Cottages

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3.3.5.1 THE DARBARI SUITE

Figure 3.3.6 Living Area

Figure 3.3.7 Dressing area

Figure 3.3.8 Attached toilet

The Darbari suite boats of luxurious and regal interiors. A whole range of luxurious amenities are provided. It offers 2 bedrooms along with a private dining area and informal seating setup. The attached toilet is somewhat a semipermanent structure with the walls that contain the sanitary fittings being masonry walls.

CONVENIENCES & LUXURIES OFFERED 

1,600 sq. ft.



Two Bedrooms



King Size Beds



Dressing Room



Private Dining Area



Royal Sofa Set



Exclusive Sightseeing

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?



Luxury Toiletries



AC and Heater



Flat Screen TV



Non-alcoholic Minibar



Tea/Coffee Maker



Welcome Hampers



Express Check-in



Exclusive Transfers

3.3.5.2 THE RAJWADI SUITE

Figure 3.3.10 The Sit out

Figure 3.3.9 The Bedroom

The Rajwadi Suite is the second largest accommodation facility at Dhordo. It consists of a single bedroom, an informal seating setup, a private dining area, dressing area and an attached toilet. The usual facilities like AC, heater are available here. The attached toilet here is similar to the one in the Dharabi Suite.

CONVENIENCES

&

LUXURIES

OFFERED 

900 sq. ft.



Master Bedroom



Dressing Room

Figure 3.3.11 Attached dressing room

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?



Private Dining Area



Royal Sofa Set



Exclusive Sightseeing



Luxury Toiletries



AC and Heater



Flat Screen TV



Non-alcoholic Minibar



Tea/Coffee Maker



Express Check-in



Welcome Hampers



Exclusive Transfers

Figure 3.3.12 Attached toilet

Figure 3.3.13 Attached toilet

3.3.5.3 THE PREMIUM TENTS

Figure 3.3.14 The Bedroom

Figure 3.3.15 The informal seating

The premium tents are a more compact packaging of facilities like attached toilet, AC, heater, etc. They have a permanent flooring like wooden flooring for the bedroom and living area and anti-skid tikes for the toilet; while cloth is used to cover the structure. Premium tents do not offer any other complimentary services like express check-in, welcome hampers and transfers.

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CONVENIENCES & LUXURIES OFFERED 

473 sq. ft.



Double Bed



Spacious Front Porch



Attached Bathroom



Cosy Sitting Area



Luxury Toiletries



AC and Heater



Tea/Coffee Maker

Figure 3.3.16 Attached toilet

3.3.5.4 THE DELUXE AC SWISS COTTAGES

Figure 3.3.17 The Bedroom

Figure 3.3.18 Sitting area

CONVENIENCES & LUXURIES OFFERED 

387 sq. ft.



Twin Bed



Spacious Front Porch



Attached Bathroom



Luxury Toiletries



AC and Heater

Figure 3.3.19 Attached bathroom

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3.3.5.5 NON-AC SWISS COTTAGES

Figure 3.3.20 Twin beds

Figure 3.3.22 High speed fan is provided

Figure 3.3.21 Informal seating

Figure 3.3.23 Attached bathroom

CONVENIENCES & LUXURIES OFFERED 

387 sq. ft.



Twin Bed



Spacious Front Porch



Attached Bathroom



Luxury Toiletries



High Speed Fan

Other services at the tent city include 

Luxury Swiss Cottage Tents – 350 | Reception Area – 12,912 sq. ft.



Conference Hall – 7,500 sq. ft.; Plenary Hall- 16,000 sq. ft.



Business Lounge | Meeting Rooms | Adventure Zone | Entertainment Area



Rejuvenation Centre | Club Area | Specialised Catering



Complimentary high speed Wi-Fi Service

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3.3.6 IMPACT OF INTRODUCTION OF THIS TEMPORARY SETTLEMENT ON THE STATE OF GUJARAT

3.3.6.1 REALISATION OF THE TENT CITY THROUGH PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) Kutch was generally considered an underdeveloped region with poor road connectivity and trivial infrastructure.. The Rann Utsav was initiated in the Kutch region as a PPP (Public Private Partnership) in 2013 with the hopes of an economic and social boost. The White Rann Camping and Hospitality (an initiative of Lallooji & Sons, an Ahmedabad-based leading events, and exhibitions service provider) was appointed as the private partner in this prestigious partnership.

Some steps executed as a part of this PPP and their results: 

Driving employment opportunities & Business opportunities for local artists and artisans and common villagers, the development of tourism the wage rate have shot up in the area from a mere INR 50 per day to INR 800 per day since 2013.



World class road connectivity was provided to the entire Kutch region, along with 24×7 power and clean water supply to the remotest village of the desert land.



Along with the basic upliftment, came connectivity, internet, schools, health centres, banks, ATMs and employment.



Since 2012, over 1,00,000 visitors have been visiting Kutch to witness the White Rann Phenomenon, paving in more opportunities for the economy.



The villages were availed with continuous water supply system.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

The partnership between the private sector and the governemnt makes use of the best of both worlds to bring about maximum efficiency in the execution of the project. It has been a major force in facilitating tourist access, enhancing quality and efficiency, and improving the destination experience.

The following table showcases the roles and responsibilities covered in the development of Rann Utsav under the PPP Model.3

Role of Public Partner

Role of Private Partner

Governments

LJS

 

Providing Basic Land & Infrastructure



Leading Marketing and Advertising Campaigns



Robust Local Administrative Support



Provision of basic supplies of water, drainage, electricity connection and more

Payment Gateway Integration 

Property Management Software



Creating Sales Channels & Partners



Event Branding & Space Design



Hospitality Management



Venue Construction & Management



All Necessary Logistic Requirements



Creating and Managing Entertainment Activities



3

Website Booking Engine &

Creating and Managing

From Lallooji and Sons. (2018). Rann Utsav - A Case Study - Lallooji and Sons. [online] Available at:

https://www.ljsindia.com/rann-utsav-case-study/ [Accessed 2 Dec. 2018].

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Adventure Sports Activities 

AV Systems where required



Food & Beverage Services



Hiring & Training Hospitality Teams



Creating and Maintaining Security Infrastructure



Housekeeping & Laundry Services

TABLE

3.3.6.1

ROLES

AND

RESPONSIBILITIES

COVERED

IN

THE

DEVELOPMENT OF RANN UTSAV UNDER THE PPP MODEL.

The PPP model has lead to a significant upliftment of a region. The benefits can be broadly summarized in two essential aspects Project Execution and Social Upliftment.

Project Execution

Social Upliftment

Cost Reduction

Economic Growth

Economy and savings on

The footfall from incoming tourism gives

construction of capital projects, and

a significant boost in enhancing the

in operating and maintaining

economy of the region.

services.

Increased Employment Risk Share

The operations of a huge event lead to

The involvement of private players

an automatic need for employment on a

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

leads to not just sharing the risks but

local level for a variety of services.

also lowering it significantly.

Increased Per Capita Income Improved Services

Growth in ancillary businesses and

The model ensures innovative and

better exposure for local craftsmen lead

competitive delivery of services.

to an improved income and standard of living.

Efficient Implementation Efficiency leads to a better

Improved Civil Infrastructure

destination experience through a

Better access to medical facilities,

combination of faster decision

electrical connections, water supply,

making and division of

better roads, there is a surge in the

responsibilities.

overall quality of public infrastructure of the region.

TABLE 3.3.6.2 BENEFITS OF THE PPP MODEL SUMMARIZED IN TWO ESSENTIAL ASPECTS PROJECT EXECUTION AND SOCIAL UPLIFTMENT.4

4

From Lallooji and Sons. (2018). Rann Utsav - A Case Study - Lallooji and Sons. [online] Available at:

https://www.ljsindia.com/rann-utsav-case-study/ [Accessed 2 Dec. 2018].

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

4. COMPARITIVE ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION FROM LITERATURE CASE STUDIES The literature case studies were thus analysed and the following conclusions and parameters have been obtained from the same as listed below.

4.1 HAJJ While the Kumbh’s set up is temporary and redone every time, the tent city of Mina is a permanent set up where the tents go empty for the rest of the year.

The temporary settlement has adopted an almost permanent solution here.

Owing to the increase in the visiting population every year, high rise buildings are also being constructed. Brick and motor solutions have started to take shape in the tent city of Mina.

Figure 4.1 Near the tents and between the rocky mountains of the neighbourhood, the government recently erected six identical towers to accommodate the soaring numbers of pilgrims. Each tower room approximately costs $3000 per night.

Parameters derived: Could this be the future of the Kumbh as well? Will pilgrims of the Kumbh adapt to a permanent solution like this?

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

4.2 THE BURNING MAN FESTIVAL The building typologies here have progressed beyond serving just the recreational purposes of the participants. Many of the tent typologies evolved here are being used full-fledged in the disaster management field in the U.S.A. they are being used as shelters for people in need in time of any disaster / calamity. Also since sustainability is a major focus of the event as it takes place on the United States’ National Conservation Lands. They are bound by government rules to make sure the playa is free of any kind of garbage after the event. Failing to do so could result in preventing and banning future editions of the festival.

Parameters derived: Can there be a clear cut spatial organization for the Kumbh every time? Can this level of Leave No Trace (LNT) sustainability be achieved at the Kumbh, keeping in mind India’s context?

4.3 RANN UTSAV The Rann Utsav debunks the myth that temporary structures only cater to the bare minimum of requirements. Introduction of this settlement has boosted the economic status of the whole area of Kutch. Social upliftment was also possible in what was considered as an economically and socially backward area of the state of Gujarat.

Parameters derived: Are luxury tents available at the Kumbh? How has the Kumbh affected the economy of the city/state/country? What other effect does it have on an urban scale? What are the differences in materials/construction techniques used by the same contractors in the two completely different scenarios?

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

5. LIVE CASE STUDY - KUMBH MELA, ALLAHABAD This live case study was conducted between February 5, 2018 – February 7, 2018, at Prayag, Allahabad when the Magh Mela 2018 was taking place. The Magh Mela is an annual event at Prayag conducted during the month of January (as elaborated in section 5.2). It is considered to be a scaled-down version of the Kumbh and is almost used like a test run for the Kumbh. Hence the same factors influencing the Magh Mela will hold good for the Kumbh except for in a bigger scale. It starts on Paush Purnima and will end on Maha Shivratri. This year (2018) it was conducted from January 02 2018 to February 13, 2018.

Figure 5.1 Location of Allahabad

Figure 5.2 Triveni Sangam

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

5.1 THE BELIEF, THE STORY The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu religious fair that occurs every three years at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers on the plains of northern India, adjacent to the city of Allahabad. According to the Samudra Manthan story found in various Hindu texts, legend has it that these spots are where drops of the nectar of immortality fell after the churning of the ocean by devas and asuras (gods and non-gods) . The bathing timings are made auspicious by the particular confluence of the sun and Jupiter

Figure 5.3 View of the Sangam

Figure 5.4 People bathing in the Sangam

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

5.2 THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCES The Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest gathering of humans at a single place for a specific purpose. The Mela happens once in very three years for 55 days, called by different names depending upon its frequency. The ‘Kumbh’ happens once in every 3 years at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik (last one took place in 2016 at Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik). The ‘Ardh Kumbh’ takes places once in every 6 years at Allahabad and Haridwar (the next one is schedules to take place from January 15 2019 to March 5 2019 at Allahabad). The ‘Purna Kumbh’ takes place once in every 12 years at Allahabad (the last one took place during January 2013). The ‘Maha Kumbh’ happens once every 144 years, i.e. after 12 cycles of the Purna Kumbh (the last Maha Kumbh took place at Allahabad in 2001. The ‘Magh Mela’ is an annual occurrence during the months of January to February, the rest of the years in Prayag, Allahabad. An estimated 120 million people in total over the 55 days are said to have visited the Kumbh in Allahabad in 2013, the largest ever.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Figure 5.5 Picture showing the various sectors of the Kumbh

5.3 SETTING UP OF THE TEMPORAL CITY During the monsoon season (June-September), the area that houses the Kumbh is under water. As the waters recede, a temporary city is created. This city is laid out on a grid, constructed and deconstructed within a matter of weeks; within the grid, multiple aspects of contemporary urbanism come to play, including spatial zoning, food and water distribution, an electricity grid, physical infrastructure construction, mass vaccinations, public gathering spaces, and nighttime social events.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Figure 6 Pictures showing the receding of the Ganga, Yamuna River and the process of setting up the temporal city

The planning of this temporal city, or ‘Nagri’ starts almost a year prior to the actual dates of the Kumbh. The administrative sector of the temporal city is set up first. The other sectors are simultaneously planned and constructed / set up on the go. The entire Nagri is constructed largely out of bamboo, cloth, tin; plywood and plastic in more recent times. Main contractors for setting up these tents are Lallooji and Sons who have been doing this event since 1921 at both Allahabad and Haridwar.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Figure 5.7 Layout plan of the 1989 Kumbh

Figure 5.8 Layout plan of the 2001 Kumbh

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Figure 5.9 Before the Mela

Figure 5.10 During the Mela

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

5.4 ROADS The Public Works Department (PWD) of the state of Uttar Pradesh is responsible for the construction of roads, streets and bridges. The network of roads can be classified by functionality. Known as pucca, they are built with bitumen, in flattened ground, outside flooding areas. Each plate is about 6mm thick. Temporary streets are made out of sand tread. The inner lanes between

Figure 5.11 Materials used in road construction and the procedure

the main roads are called gattas (patti roads) and are kuccha.

5.4.1 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION: A main road is 45 cm high at its center from ground level and is gradually ramped on two sides. This is made from earth soil and sand. This is done by tractors in recent years but was once done by hand. A series of chequered metal plates are laid in two strips to match vehicular wheel widths. These form the base for car traffic. The chequered plates are 1m long, 1’ wide and 6mm

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

thick and are joined together by a 8” ms 6 mm thick steel plates with bolts. U pipes are passed under the roads at select points to facilitate drainage.

Figure 5.12 Different types of roads at the Mela

5.5 BRIDGES

“Pontoons” (“Pipa” is the Hindi name for the floating iron cylinders) are used to make the bridges. They are 8’ wide and 32’ long. Pipas are made of a thin layer of MS plates molded and welded, that keeps a large volume of air inside. The fixing process includes welding pieces and the application of a waterproofing black layer.

5.5.1 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION: These pieces are reused in different

Figure 5.13 Pontoon bridges

festivals, the last time they used them for the Kumbh Mela at Haridwar four years ago. The pipas are made of a thin layer of iron that keeps a large volume of air inside. They are made of MS plates molded and welded. The fixing

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

process includes welding pieces and the application of a waterproofing black layer.

The volume of water displaced by the all the pipas defines the resistance of the bridges. The weight of the water displaced minus the weight of the whole structure of the bridge would be the quantity of charge the bridges are able to support without sinking. According to the people in the ground the weight of each pipa is 5.459 tons. The pontoons are about 5 m center to center.

Figure 5.14 The Pipa

The pontoons are laid in water using a flatbed truck and cranes. The sandy bank is ramped up or down to meet the levels of the pontoons in water. A bamboo tripod like structure is made and turned into a makeshift net into which sand bags full of river sand are loaded. These tripods become anchors and are embedded into the river bed and water. Each pontoon is anchored separately on both its sides. Once in the water the pontoons are connected using MS I section girders that are bolted to them. MS plates are then bolted onto the

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

girders and finally the plates will be lined with Sal wood (the same used for railways sleepers/tracks).

Figure 5.15 Construction process of a Pipa

5.6 LAND & LAND ALLOTMENT After the basic facilities like roads, bridges are put up, focus shifts to the allotment of land for various sadhu groups on the site.

The Kumbh Mela committee is in charge of all land allocation. It has a list of groups that will get land. The masterplan guides land allocation but often the chief prabandak (manager of land allocation) marks out land for specific locations and the master plan needs to be adjusted accordingly. Plots are square in shape and distribution of the camps is not very dense.

There is an established list of akhadas (religious sect camps of top priority), mahamandaleshwars (religious camps), kalpvasis camps (camps of devotees) sansthas (social service societies) that camp at Kumbh every year and also a record of land allotted to them. These are the groups given priority for land allocation.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

There is a strong hierarchy with land allocations and treatment of religious leaders. The akhadas are given top priority and the mela adhikari will go to their camps personally to ensure everything is ok. Certain well know religious leaders will be heard in private rooms while others have to que up in line.

Everyone argues for more land. The mela adhikari barters with each with different degrees of politeness and deference.

Each camp, especially the akhadas, tend to have a fixed location where they set up camp every year. They fight to be placed as close to that area land as possible. The location is generally identified by the street names.

Akhadas are given free tents, electricity, water supply, ration cards by the Kumbh Committee. It is said that without them there would be no Kumbh. Their activities include giving meals as Prasad (langar), bhajans (religious songs), aartis (rituals) and smoking pot. There are a lot of groups who are new to the Kumbh and are now trying to acquire land. Most of these try and establish contact with key people on the Mela Committee who help them acquire land.

The river bed land is as such considered very holy by the pilgrims attending the Kumbh. They believe that the sand enrichens their whole spiritual and religious experience. This is also one of the most important reasons they prefer to set up camp as close to the Sangam as possible.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

5.7 BUILDING TYPOLOGIES AND MATERIALS USED 5.7.1 THE TENTS

Figure 5.16 Pictures showing the typical tents at the Kumbh Mela

The tents range from super luxury to basic. But the super luxury tents are very few in number. Ground is first leveled by the government after which the sadhus and pilgrims state their requirements or layout: these include stage, storage areas, cooking areas, gathering areas and living areas. In some cases, ground is also raised to create small plinths for tents. A tin boundary wall is constructed for each camp. The luxury tents provided services such as geezers, heaters as well as toilet and proper hotel-like facilities.

These tents can be broadly classified into: 

3 room tent for VIPs (including bathroom and living space)



Single tents



Large tents that sleep 8

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Figure 5.17 Typical materials used to construct a tent; Interior of a typical tent at the Kumbh Mela.

In some of the tents, dry wheat stalks are placed inside to soften bedding.

Chatais (mats) are also used for bedding.

Figure 5.18 Exterior of the tents

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

5.7.1.1 CORRUGATED GI SHEETS - A VERSATILE MATERIAL Corrugated GI sheets are used for spaces like toilets and kitchens so that heat can be retained inside.

Aluminium corrugated sheets and bamboo used

Toilets within the sector

Exterior of kitchen

Lock

Interior of the kitchen

Interior of unused kitchen

Figure 5.19 The different uses of GI sheet

The modular enclosure systems of the Kumbh allow for a wide range of structures, ranging from small tents to very large congregation halls and temples. Similar basic elements are aggregated to generate a multitude of urban typologies.

Figure 5.20 Different typologies of structures at the Mela

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

5.7.2 OTHER BUILDING TYPOLOGIES

Figure 5.21 Sector 1 Magistrate Office

Apart from the tents for accommodation at the Mela, several other structures that support the functioning of this megacity also exist. These include the sector wise offices, the main administrative office, the police stations, the watch towers, stages, the different ‘matts’ (e.g. Kanchi Matt).

Hospitals are also set up within the Mela. (Unfortunately, these hospitals were

Figure 5.22 Police station and Police watchtower

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

already dismantled during the course of this live case study) One, 100 bed hospital, made of plywood, is set up at the parade ground. Around ten hospitals of 20 bed each across sectors will be made with tin, tents. The entire hospital is made by Lalooji and Sons who hold a monopoly over the construction of the Nagri.

Here again facilities are divided between: 

Permanent: with existing hospitals such as GT hospital being improved



Temporary: hospitals and related facilities created at Kumbh. No serious illnesses are treated at Kumbh, they are ambulanced to the town hospital.

There are three wings that fall under this department: 

Public Health: which does sanitation work and has check posts for infectious diseases. They also check food and water samples on a regular basis.



Clinic: dealing with medical treatment



Vector Borne Disease Control Unit: which is specifically designated for control of pandemics or aggressive infectious outbreaks.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

5.8 HEALTH AND SANITATION

Figure 5.23 Portable toilets

Since most of the visitors come from rural areas and are not used to the toilets, there is a large percent of open defecation too. This is collected and carried into wells where it accumulates in large amounts and then burned. Therefore, the government has employed about 22 groups of sweepers fort his very purpose. They dig holes in large open areas on the outskirts of the Mela and transport the waste in carrels, where they apply an antibacterial chemical.

Some toilets are constructed in a tin shed and a cement platform with the Indian style toilet made within it. Plastic pipes lead into a pit dug behind the toilet rows. The pit is lined with bricks and covered with a lattice of bamboo and covered with dry grass to allow gasses to escape. Mud is placed on them.

Extra pits are made for overflows. In sandy areas – tin barrels are placed upside down to act as septic tanks as otherwise the sewage rises up through the sandy soil Toilets can be found within sectors for the residents as well as outside in the open for general public usage. These portable toilets have been designed by students of IIT-Kharagpur.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Figure 9.24 The different kinds of toilets

5.9 PROCEDURE & MECHANISMS OF DECONSTRUCTION

5.9.1 AKHADAS AND ASHRAMS When an akhada or an ashram wants to leave, they send word to either the sector magistrate (if their camp was constructed for free by the mela administration) or to the contracting company that set up their site. Trucks and laborers from the contractors arrive at the site and remove everything, the tents, the plywood, and the steel sheets that formed fences, bamboos etc.

The materials are then carried to the compounds and store. They are then counted, sorted for damaged pieces, and sent to the various stores that the tent suppliers have across India; like for example in Benaras and other parts of

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

Uttar Pradesh and the rest of the country. Each truck is generally full of one specific kind of material.

5.9.2 WASTE WATER / GREY WATER DISPOSAL The Jal Nigam contractors remove all the tap connections and dig up all the pipes, both of water supply and wastewater. These are taken to the Jal Nigam store from where they will be sent to different parts of Uttar Pradesh for Jal Nigam projects. The sewage pits are treated with chemicals, the bamboo coverings removed and the pit covered with sand. Wastewater reservoirs are treated with chemicals and the sand bags are removed. Garbage is gathered and carted to sanitary landfill sites. The sweepers community is in charge of removing all the toilets built by the mela administration. They have a special mason break apart the toilet blocks removing the ceramic seats. The sweepers cart these back to the main health store location. The brick, bamboo, seats and other materials are sorted and auctioned off. Various contractors bid on all the items.

5.9.3 PWD The roads are taken apart sector by sector and placed onto trucks. The pontoon bridges are broken up—first the railings removed, then the plates, then the joists and lastly the pontoons. There are three main storage locations for the pontoon and road materials: on the parade ground, near the railway yard, and the largest is in Jhusi next to the bus stand.

Individual ministers in the state government will decide on what their district needs. Accordingly, metal plated roads and pontoons will be deployed to various parts of UP. These will be used largely in villages with mud roads and areas prone to flooding. E.g. after 88�89 Kumbh the pontoons were used in the Hindon river. There are contractors for deconstruction who arrange for dismantling, transport, and unloading.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

5.9.4 ELECTRIC POLES The wires are taken down and wound up. The poles disassembled � the

concrete and metal separated. Each part is then taken back to storage. The electricity board has a digital inventory in which the returned volumes are recorded.

5.9.5 OTHER DECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES A large number of scavengers from areas in and around Allahabad usually flock the site to remove whatever materials they find useful. They dig up waste coal dumped by restaurants to use as fuel; they empty the sand bags from which the ghats were constructed to make ropes. They take any discarded wood or bamboo to burn on their fires. The scavengers take almost everything completely cleaning up the site. They are responsible for zero waste entering the Ganges.

The site is also witness to a large amount of pilferage and theft of the giant stockpiles of material lying in makeshift enclosure in PWD stores, contractor stores etc. Trucks are in high demand and have been brought from major cities all over Uttar Pradesh.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

5.10 INTERVIEWS, SURVEYS AND WHAT THE LOCALS HAD TO SAY

Interviews were conducted with Rahul Kumar – office assistant, Sector 1 Magistrate Office; Sri Ramesh Oujha Supervisor, Sector 2, Rajesh Pandey and

officials

from

Magh

Mela

Prashasan (main office) (refer appendix 2,3,4).

The

main

outline

of

the

questions asked are as given in the questionnaire (refer appendix 1).

What they all had to collectively say was that the pilgrims who came to perform various rituals at the Kumbh Mela, consider the sand of the riverbed holy. Hence they would prefer to stay

Figure 5.25 The Mela Prashasan - The Main Office

there on the banks in the temporary tents during the course of the Mela. The Kumbh has almost become a sort of pride for the state of Uttar Pradesh and that it would be next to impossible to forego the temporariness of the festival to a more permanent solution. Although they did feel that some people, mostly belonging to the upper middle class and the elite preferred to stay in hotels and dharmashalas in the city of Allahabad.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

6. CONCLUSION The parameters obtained from the literature case study were used to formulate a question that was used during the course of the live case study to conduct the interviews.

Through the course of the interviews conducted with various experts in this field, it was evident that the Kumbh was a matter of pride for the ‘Prayag-vaasi.’ The Mela has become an identity of the place and they take pleasure in organizing this event every year.

Due to the fact that the site is flooded by the Ganges and the Yamuna rivers for the rest of the year, a permanent solution at this very site is impossible.

The other alternative would be to look for a site close by for this purpose. The city of Allahabad’s lands is mostly controlled by the military and they have a strong base there. Hence it would pose a tough job for them to obtain land form the military permanently for the Mela. (Already the military gives some of its land on lease to the government when required for the Mela). The Kalpvasis and the staunch sadhus have very to take up tedious rituals which would be easier for them if they were located in close proximity to the Sangam. Also, they believe that the sand of the river bed is holy ('Mitti ka asar'). So, making them move to a new location would be a very tough job.

Allahabad is home to quite a number of dharmashalas and hotels as well. So, the upper middle class and elite who visit the city for the Kumbh mostly prefer to stay here.

Though the upper middle class and the elite may adapt to the change quickly, it is tough for the masses to adapt to such a massive change.

Hence one can say that a complete 100% permanent solution would not be possible for the Kumbh.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

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26. Trodly.com. (2018). A Guide to Rann Utsav: All You Need to Know Before You Go to Kutch - Trodly. [online] Available at:

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

https://www.trodly.com/blog/article/a-guide-to-rann-utsav-all-you-needto-know-before-you-go-to-kutch [Accessed 20 Mar. 2018].

27. Tornosindia.com. (2018). All That You Want to Know About Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela ÂŤ Tornos India. [online] Available at: https://www.tornosindia.com/all-that-you-want-to-know-about-maghmela-and-kumbh-mela/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2018].

28. Anon, (2014). [ebook] Available at: http://southasiainstitute.harvard.edu/website/wpcontent/uploads/2013/05/Kumbh-GSD-Proposal.pdf [Accessed 8 Mar. 2018].

29. Diwadkar.net. (2018). Kumbh Mela: Mapping the Ephemeral Megacity | Vineet Diwadkar. [online] Available at: http://www.diwadkar.net/project/kumbhmela/ [Accessed 16 Mar. 2018].

30. ArchDaily. (2018). Kumbh Mela: Designing the World's Largest Gathering Of People. [online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/624425/kumbh-mela-designing-the-world-slargest-gathering-of-people [Accessed 8 Mar. 2018].

31. Business Insider. (2018). One photo reveals how insanely big Burning Man is - and how completely it disappears every year. [online] Available at: https://www.businessinsider.in/One-photo-reveals-how-insanely-bigBurning-Man-is-and-how-completely-it-disappears-everyyear/articleshow/60224728.cms [Accessed 27 Mar. 2018].

32. Marshall, A., Stewart, J., Davies, A. and Stockton, N. (2018). What the Controlled Chaos of Burning Man Reveals About Cities. [online] WIRED. Available at: https://www.wired.com/story/burning-man-reveals-chaoscities/ [Accessed 8 Mar. 2018].

33. Burningman.org. (2018). Timeline | Burning Man. [online] Available at: https://burningman.org/timeline/#!/1987 [Accessed 2 Mar. 2018].

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

APPENDIX 1 – QUESTIONNAIRE USED FOR INTERVIEW DURING THE LIVE CASE STUDY 1

Are the tents comfortable enough to stay in?

2

Can a more permanent solution be given for the accommodation?

3

Why is a temporary solution preferred for the accommodation issue?

4

Will a permanent solution make things easier for the government and local authorities in terms of organizing etc and give them time to concentrate on other important matters?

5

Would people prefer to stay a bit far away from the Triveni sangam during the course of the festival?

6

Is it necessary by any religious belief that people should stay near the triveni sangam during the festival?

7

How many people actually stay overnight?

8

Have there been any cases of deaths caused due to the cold weather conditions?

9

What are the environmental impacts to the river bed due to the setting up of these tents?

10

Prices of the tent accommodation – categories of accommodation

11

Why do people prefer to stay in tent city even though costs are higher? (Rs. 6000/- per night for 2 people)

12

How effectively are the materials reused after the festival? How often are they replaced?

13

What are the condition of the tents after the mela? Are they in a recyclable condition after their use?

14

Why is it necessary to keep building these tent cities every time the mela happens? Why can’t a permanent solution be provided so that it can be used every time the mela happens?

15

By setting up a permanent setup for the pilgrims’ accommodation will we be able to save more material and be more sustainable?

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

APPENDIX 2 – NOTES TAKEN DURING INTERVIEW 1

Magh Mela Sector 1 Magistrate office - Rahul Kumar - peon - Interview 1



Kalpvas - lot of crowd will be there at the sangam so to walk and travel there from outside will be an unnecessary strain/trouble



Tent preferred due to proximity. If permanent structure to be made then land far away



Main kalpvas won't stay in those structures. People who come for a few days, they may stay. Kalpavasis think doing the whole procedure on the banks of the river will yield them maximum results.



After purnima only sector 1 retained; Other sectors dismantled.



Order of removal : Tent - water - pwd check plate - pole



July-August river floods in



2-3 days people can stay outside. But Kalpvasi may have to do religious duties and snan at 4am-5am so prefer to stay on site.



Single occupancy; double; depends on Kalpvasi



To combat cold nights campfires are organised at every crossroad or any major areas

APPENDIX 3 – NOTES TAKEN DURING INTERVIEW 2 Magh Mela main office and Sector 2 officer in charge - Interview



One month before tents put up



Jcp and other equipments used to level land. This is first step.

Then master plan made.



Then roads made then water pipes. 120ft main road then 80' Master plan depends on Gangaji's (river) levels.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?



'Mitti ka asar'



Sanklap and other rituals go on for entire 55 days and involves many procedures. Hence prefer to stay on the banks, sleep on the earth



Staying on the banks itself a part of the ritual, the experience Different bandars give food. Kalpvasis make their own food and stuff

APPENDIX 4 – NOTES TAKEN DURING INTERVIEW 3

Magh Mela Interview - Shri Ramesh Oujha - Sector 2 Supervisor and Rajesh Pandey 

Materials reused every time. Godowns used to store materials. Diff godowns for diff materials.



All tents contract by Lalooji and sons



5-6 sectors for Magh Mela. 4 also depending upon river. Each Sector magistrate senior class 2 post - thasildhar/talukdar Incharge.

Land allotted to sanyasis, 4 sankarachariyas, 13 akhadons, aachariya mahamandaleshwar



Army land near by - cantonment area. Army gives land on lease too the Kumbh.



Dharmashalas exist.



No place at all for permanent structures



Tent city - 'SHAAN of Prayag' IDENTIFY, fame, world famous - Has its own mahima



If u wanna live in Concert jungle then why tent city - tent city is sacred

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

APPENDIX 5 – NOTES TAKEN DURING INTERVIEW 4

Interview of Riyaz Panjwani and Abhishek Verma, students of Allahabad NIT and IIT-K respectively. Abhishek Verma was born and brought up in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Answers are in response to the questionnaire as stated in Appendix 1 1.) The tents are quite comfortable. Despite the fact that all these are built along the river banks, it is ensured that all basic amenities are provided and that to while maintaining good quality standards.

2.) As per my opinion, it wouldn't be possible to provide more permanent accommodation facilities to such a huge crowd, though the service quality could be improved further.

3.) Answered along with ques.14 4.) It is for sure that if permanent accommodation solutions are made available, it would help the authorities to focus on other important issues as well. It has been a usual practice that the preparations for kumbh mela starts well in advance, say 1 year before, for it is not at all easy to organise such a great event without proper planning. This also involves setting up of accommodation facilities alongside the rivers. Though the land for setting up such tents is demarcated but still it depends on the course of the two rivers. Sometimes these rivers meander and drift away towards 'jhusi' or sometime towards 'quila' and accordingly the arrangements are made. If permanent solutions are provided it would save both time and money but since the arrangements are quite dependent on the course of 'Ganga' and 'Yamuna' it is not easy to provide such permanent solution.

5.) For most of the people their religious believes are associated with the 'divine' and 'holy' rivers. So, most of them would prefer to stay by the riverside during the Kumbh.

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

6.) Yes, most of the people who visit sangam during Kumbh Mela and reside along the riverside are 'kalpvaasis' who have voluntarily chosen to perform 'kalpvaas'. In this, the devotees live away from the home for a period of 30-90 days (as per their sacred vow) and desire to worship gods and serve them.

Also, along with common masses, a large number of saints including 'naga babas', 'aghoris' and those belonging to various 'akhada parishads' visit kumbh mela to take dip in holy rivers and worship gods. They desire to stay by the river side and set up their temporary 'ashrams' in the area as well.

7.) I can't quote the exact figures but what I have seen is that almost all the tents that are built by the local authorities are occupied and also some people set up their own temporary tents using hay and straw. On the occasion of 'parvs' or special days, the situation becomes worse. One cannot find any place for temporary stay along the river for few kilometers. People even sleep under the bare sky over the 'naini bridge' and 'shastri bridge' as well. There is a chaos in the entire place on such days.

8.) I haven't heard any cases of deaths due to cold weather conditions but casualties due to stampede have been reported.

9.) As usual, these temporary settlements are the sources of pollution which imposes an adverse impact on land, water and aquatic life. With respect to the settlements of tents alongside the rivers, as stated earlier, there locations depend on the course of the two rivers. These tents are made temporarily in the floodplains along the rivers and are removed after the Mela. Thus, during the monsoon months, it does not affect the rivers and the natural flooding. Also, the bridges constructed during Kumbh are temporary in nature. The floating bridges do not affect the river as it would have been if more permanent bridges would have been constructed in place.

10.) I don't remember the exact prices

THE KUMBH MELA: CAN THE EPHEMERAL MAKE WAY FOR THE PERMANENT?

11.) For most of the people, it is associated with their religious beliefs and for others it serves recreational purposes. Therefore, most of them prefer to stay in tent.

12.) The tents are built using bamboos, rugged clothes and ropes. It is cheap and reusable. The tents are dismantled after the 'Mela' finishes and the material can be used again whenever needed. For the pathways inside the tents, they are constructed by fixing metallic planks on the sandy paths instead of the paved roads. In fact, the entire connecting pathways in the area are constructed in the same manner. These metallic planks are removable and are removed once the occasion is over. It ensures no permanent construction in the floodplains and leave them unharmed to a great extent.

13.) Most of the tents are in good condition after the mela except for those which have been constructed using old material. The tents are exposed to cold weather conditions, followed by rains and sometimes hail stones too fall over them. They effect these tents. But with some repairs, the material can be reused most of the times for at least 1-2 more times.

14.) As stated earlier, the tents are created in the floodplains just beside the river. In the monsoon season, the area is fully submerged under water while the rivers drift away in the winter season during the time of kumbh and leaves behind the empty stretch of land suitable for establishing such temporary tents.

If permanent establishments are made it would hinder the natural flooding of the river and would impose a severe threat on the ecosystem of the river.

15.) Yes, if permanent establishments are made it would be cost effective but as stated earlier, it would have a drastic and severe impact on the rivers and their surroundings.