Ardh Kumbh pilgrims take home digital memories

Varanasi, Feb 9: Gone are days when pilgrims teturning from Kumbhmela brought 'gangajal', vermilion and photo-albums from Kashi andPrayag.

Instead, digital keepsakes -- video CDs -- have ended up being the prideful possession of the pilgrims in their way back.

At least 15 different VCDs spanning from those unfolding glimpsesof Ardh Kumbh 2007 as well as narrating the journey of Goddess Ganga --from Gomukh to Gangasagar -- have turned best-sellers among thepilgrims.

''Earlier Kumbh fairs at Allahabad had an array of traditionalproducts like vermilion, gangajal, dry fruits, photo albums and otherreligious keepsakes which sold like hot cakes among pilgrims. Thistime, however, it is the power of VCDs that is driving pilgrims to theshops in the Vishwanath Gali and adjacent localities,'' said S RMishra, one of the three wholesale dealers supplying religious VCDs.

''VCDs worth Rs one crore have been sold during the month longArdh Kumbh. Though, 15 CDs are available in the market, only thosewhich showcase glimpses of Ardh Kumbh 2007, Kashi or else Ganga'sjourney are best-sellers,'' Mr Mishra, who claims to have sold VCDsworth Rs 16 lakh himself maintained.

Be it the small shops in the by-lanes of the ancient city,makeshift outlets on the majestic Ganga ghats or even small childrenselling articles to tourists, CDs including 'Kumbh Mahatama 2007, Kumbhke Chardham, Ganga Yatra and Kashi Darshan' have raked the maximummoolah.

The month long (Ardh Kumbh) sale of these CDs is much more thanwhat we earn during an entire year by selling the same digitalofferings, claimed Munna Pathak, a retailer dealing in religious andspiritual CDs in the proximity of Kashi Vishwanath temple.

His claims are seconded by Raj Kumar, a soft drink seller atLalita Ghat, who has made Rs 15,000 by selling CDs among the devoteesgoing for a boat ride on the Ganga river.

While the retailers and wholesalers, grappling with a slump inbusiness, following security restrictions on the KashiVishwanath-Gyanwapi complex have found a way to remain afloat withthese digital products, Ardh Kumbh pilgrims have their own reasons fortaking back the digital keepsakes.

''We no longer need to narrate the story of our memorable stay atthe Prayag Ardh Kumbh or Kashi to our relatives once we are back home.These colourful digital memories will make our job easier and moreauthentic,'' said Balmukund from Vellore.

An NRI family from Sweden feels identically. ''The Ardh Kumbh andKashi are not over for us, but just a mouse click away once we get backto Stockholm,'' said Vardrajan Swamy, an electrical engineer.

While the digital offerings have brought back smiles to the facesof vendors in alleys of the city, products based on 'Vaastu' have beenan add on for pilgrims.

''After CDs, second best-seller is the Mangal Kalash, a colourfuland desi wind- chime promising positive vibrations to houses across thecountry,'' Munna Pathak added.

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