Kalpavas

(“residence for a kalpa”) Strict religious
vow taken during the annual Magh
Mela festival in the city of Allahabad
during the lunar month of Magh
(January–February). Allahabad is located at the confluence of two sacred
rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna.
The festival’s primary religious act is
bathing (snana) at this confluence.
Although most people stay at this festival only a brief time, kalpavasis, or people taking the kalpavas vow, do not leave
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Kalpavas
the site of the festival for the entire
month. Kalpavasis also take vows to live
a strict ascetic lifestyle, which includes
daily baths in the Ganges, a restricted
diet, particular dress and worship, and
attendance at the religious gatherings
known as satsang.