Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela

I heard that the filmmakers asked the gurus to bless the audiences after every interview... It definitely feels like you get a blessing by watching this amazing film... Some of the babas and the Gurus were looking directly into camera and it gave me shivers... Cinematography is excellent and the movie carries you in an amazing place I would have never imagined existed... 70million people got together for this Festival and no information was given by our media... It makes you wonder why... :-) Another great film after What the bleep on the road to spiritual and enlightening films. Thank you!!! It's a movie i'll recommend to all... E

This is a must see film for those who are curious about how other people on this planet live and celebrate.

A spectacular assault on the mind, eyes and ears. Nick Day and Maurizio Benazzo take us on a personal journey where we meet yogis, gurus, charlatans and the millions who come out to celebrate a pilgrimage that takes place only once every seven years. Day and Benazzo bring us to the hearts and minds of this curious celebration and we are left both stunned, overwhelmed, and wanting more. I found the film profoundly moving in that it showed the daily ups and downs of people who we didn't dream existed, and I was able to connect to their stories in a most basic sense of terms.

Go see this film when it opens in a theater near you.

Beautifully done, the sights and photography were amazing, and the documentary constantly evolved. There was such a beauty I the traditions that were shown in the Film. It was awkward in a sense in many portions of the film we attempt to see these cultural experiences but through the eyes of the new coming and newly interested Caucasian people. If we are to really absorb the holiness of an experience to be so connected to certain areas of religion, there needs to be a larger portion on the Native people of that Religion in the area of this holy land where the holy experience will occur. There are many positives as the people coming to these foreign lands are attempting to absorb and understand these cultures, gain a closeness to god, and accept different perspectives.

"Short Cut to Nirvana", the movie, is extremely informative yet with good sense of humor.

I felt touched and inspired by its magnitude and simplicity.

It shows 70 million people united for the sake of goodness, for peace and universal love.

The H. H. Dalai Lama appearance, his charisma, and his message of tolerance are deep and relevant.

It made me want to go to the next Kumbh Mela and experience more of it!

Thank Maurizio and Nick for this remarkable experience!

The message stays with you!

Peace for all!

It speaks volumes that millions of people can gather to celebrate this festival that takes place every twelve years without any problems, or casualty. That the Mela takes place in India, a poor country in comparison to the West, is a tribute to how the people there have achieved a state of nirvana. In general, all the different gurus, swamis, and different religious people seem to be honestly involved in the well being of their souls and passing this set of rules of conduct for anyone who wants to become spiritual and leave all the material trappings aside.

Director Maurizio Benazzo, and his collaborator, Nick Day, present us images that are exotic and in sharp contrast with what religion is seen and practiced in this country and others. We are taken to different people who speak directly into the camera and tell us their view about spirituality and how they have arrived at that plateau.

There are many interesting side trips to visit with the Dalai Lama, who made an appearance at the festival. His message is how Buddism can coexist with all religions based on mutual respect for other forms of religion. The documentary makes a point in how Hinduism is an ancient religion practiced since much before Christianity.

The directors make a point to watch through the camera lens but never make any statements or be judgmental about any aspect of the way the people that are attracted to do the pilgrimage worship.