The Kumbh Mela—literally, the festival of the sacred pitcher—is anchored in Hindu mythology. It is the largest public gathering and collective act of faith on the planet.
The Kumbh is celebrated four times over the course of 12 years. The site rotates between four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers—at Haridwar on the Ganga River; Ujjain on the Shipra; Nashik on the Godavari; and Prayag (present-day Prayagraj, also Allahabad) at the confluence of the Ganga, Jamuna and the mythical Sarasvati. Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the sun, moon, and Jupiter, the holiest time occurring at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied. The Kumbh Mela at Prayag, in particular, attracts millions of pilgrims. In addition, a Great Kumbh Mela festival is held every 144 years at Prayag; the 2001 festival attracted some 60 million people.
The Mela draws tens of millions of pilgrims over the course of approximately 48 days. They come from all sections of the religion, ranging from sadhus and naga sadhus—who practice ‘sadhana’ and follow a strict path of spiritual discipline—to hermits, who leave their seclusion to step into civilization only during the Kumbh Mela, seekers of spirituality, and common people practising Hinduism.
Pilgrims walk past larger-than-life images of Hindu deities Hanuman (centre), Kali (left) and Laxmi (right) on the way to the Kumbha Mela at Prayagraj.
Pilgrims arriving for the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj (Allahabad).
Naga sadhus from Nirmohi Akhada waiting for diksha (initiation) on the banks of the Ganga during the Kumbh Mela in 2012.
Naga sadhus at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj in 2012.
A child naga sadhu with his seniors during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. Some sects of Hindu ascetics follow the practice of ordaining children as naga sadhus before the age of 14 years. The ordination ceremony is conducted in secrecy and witnessed by other children who have already been ordained.
Crowds of devotees going for a dip in the sacred river Ganga during the Kumbh Mela in 2012.
Devotees offer water to the sun god during a dip in the sacred river Ganga during the Kumbh Mela in 2012.
Devotees offer water to the sun god during a dip in the sacred river Ganga during the Kumbh Mela in 2012.
Women dry their sarees after taking a dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, at Prayagraj.
A child naga sadhu holds the long, matted hair of his senior in a camp at Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh.
Devotees walk across pontoon bridges after a dip at the holy Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
A naga sadhu wearing rudraksha beads (Elaeocarpus ganitrus seeds) weighing approximately 75 kg during the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj. Ayurvedic and naturopathic practitioners claim that wearing rudraksha beads has an anti-aging effect and harmonizes the mind and body.
A naga sadhu wearing rudraksha beads (Elaeocarpus ganitrus seeds) weighing approximately 75 kg during the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.
Child naga sadhu with his senior in a camp at Prayagraj during the Kumbha Mela.
A child naga sadhu carrying a chillum, used for smoking marijuana, in his camp at Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh.
A child naga sadhu rides on the shoulders of his senior during a procession at Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh.
A naga sadhu holds a trident covered with a garland of marigold flowers at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj (Allahabad).
A man draping a fresh cotton dhoti after a dip in the sacred Ganga River during the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj (Allahabad).
A Hindu woman drying her sari after taking a dip in the sacred Ganga River.
Men draped in fresh cotton dhotis after a dip in the sacred Ganga during the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj (Allahabad).
A saffron-clad sadhu blows a conch shell to mark the end of a prayer session on the banks of the river Ganga.
Hindu pilgrims float oil lamps and take a dip in the Ganga River at Prayagraj (Allahabad), India. Hindu devotees believe that a dip in the sacred river washes away all one’s sins.
Mauni Amavasya is the new-moon day in the month of Paush (Magh) of the Hindu calendar, which usually falls during the months of January and February. It is considered to be especially sacred and is a day set aside for bathing in sacred rivers. All the Akharas in Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela participate in the procession of the ‘chariots’ before taking a Shahi Snan (royal bath) at the Sangam.
Sadhus returning after taking a holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela.
Sadhus (Hindu holy men) rejoice after a prayer session on the banks of the Ganga River.
A child naga sadhu having his meal in a camp at Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Pilgrims and devotees in boats at the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at Prayagraj.
Naga sadhus from the Nirmohi Akhada waiting for diksha after shaving their head on the banks of the Ganga during the Kumbh Mela in 2012.