Bring comfy, old slip-on shoes
You’ll be in and out of your shoes with visits to various guru camps.
Take cues from Burning Man
The festival’s checklist works well for Kumbh Mela, too. Sunscreen, a dust mask, lip balm and earplugs (if you’re sleeping nearby) are essential.
Check out these two films first:
Both Shortcut to Nirvana and Kumbh Mela: The Greatest Show on Earth give you a sense of the visual spectacle, though nothing can truly prepare you for the enormity of being there.