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Khumb Mela

About this project

Kumbh Mela is the most important faith festival for Hinduism and biggest gathering of people in the world. It is held every third year at one of the four holy places by rotation: Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik and Ujjain. The largest one takes place every twelve years in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

The people comes to bath themselves in the sacred river to purify their soul. The main bathing place is Sangam, the confluence of the river Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

Naga Sadhus are holy people who live naked and wear their hair in thick dreadlocks called Jata. Usually they live isolated from the real world and it is quite difficult to get close of them. Kumbh Mela is a great opportunity to be blessed with their holy ashes and visit different Akharas – an association of the different sects of Shadus where they spent their time meditating, receiving people, smoking and taking care of themselves. Naga Sadhus come for bathing in Sangam during Mauni Amavasya Snan (Main Bathing Day). This is considered the most auspicious day during all festival and in 2013 was celebrated on February 10th with about 30 millions of peregrines.

Location: Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Material support: Digital
Year: 2013

Khumb Mela, crowds walking on clay fields
Khumb Mela, woman carrying a bag over his head
Khumb Mela, City tents and Akharas
Khumb Mela, Yamuna river floating bridges
Khumb Mela, yamuna river people praying
Khumb Mela, Women group praying
Khumb Mela, Man taking bath in Yamuna river
Khumb Mela, Huge crowds in Sangam
Khumb Mela, Woman with beautifull sari taking bath in Yamuna river
Khumb Mela, Naga Sadhus singing at their Akhara
Khumb Mela, Naga Sadhu intertwing his long hair
Khumb Mela, Naga Sadhu covered with flowers and japamalas of rudrakshas
Khumb Mela, Naga Sadhus running to bath in Sangam
Khumb Mela, girl selling flowers to let in the river
Khumb Mela, yamuna river night celebration