• An aerial shot of the 2019 Prayagraj (Allahabad) Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh Mela is widely known as the largest religious gathering in the world. On account of it being such an exceptional and rich cultural heritage the UNESCO inscribed the mela in its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. In 2019 alone, around 150 million people are said to have attended the Ardha Kumbh Mela which was held at Prayagraj (Allahabad). Source: Tara Chand Gawariya.
    An aerial shot of the 2019 Prayagraj (Allahabad) Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh Mela is widely known as the largest religious gathering in the world. On account of it being such an exceptional and rich cultural heritage the UNESCO inscribed the mela in its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. In 2019 alone, around 150 million people are said to have attended the Ardha Kumbh Mela which was held at Prayagraj (Allahabad). Source: Tara Chand Gawariya.
  • Pilgrims and devotees arrive at the Kumbh Mela for the shahi snan (royal bath) during Mauni Amavasya at Prayagraj (Allahabad), 2019. The Kumbh Mela transcends the meaning of a traditional fair. It is a massive spiritual gathering, an alignment of cosmic forces, a unique spectacle which attracts pilgrims from all over India and the world.
    Pilgrims and devotees arrive at the Kumbh Mela for the shahi snan (royal bath) during Mauni Amavasya at Prayagraj (Allahabad), 2019. The Kumbh Mela transcends the meaning of a traditional fair. It is a massive spiritual gathering, an alignment of cosmic forces, a unique spectacle which attracts pilgrims from all over India and the world.
  • A sadhu passing by a vermillion seller at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Since medieval times the Mela has captured the imagination of historians, travellers, philosophers, writers, poets and artists. Photographer: Sunil Kumar.
    A sadhu passing by a vermillion seller at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Since medieval times the Mela has captured the imagination of historians, travellers, philosophers, writers, poets and artists. Photographer: Sunil Kumar.
  • The Triveni sangam at Prayagraj (Allahabad). The Triveni sangam (confluence) is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism as it is the meeting point of three sacred rivers, Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
    The Triveni sangam at Prayagraj (Allahabad). The Triveni sangam (confluence) is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism as it is the meeting point of three sacred rivers, Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
  • Millions of devotees and pilgrims throng to the Triveni sangam for shahi snan (royal bath) on Basant Panchami at Prayag, 2019. Snan or ritual bathing comprises one of the most important rituals at the Kumbh.
    Millions of devotees and pilgrims throng to the Triveni sangam for shahi snan (royal bath) on Basant Panchami at Prayag, 2019. Snan or ritual bathing comprises one of the most important rituals at the Kumbh.
  • Aerial shot of ritual bathers at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. The Kumbh mela is a fifty-five day festival where it seems as if the whole of humanity has landed on the shores of the sacred rivers. The pilgrims gather at these sacred ghats (banks) to take ritual baths. This act is believed to cleanse a person of his or her sins and deliver them from the cycle of birth and death. Photographer: Satish Chalotra.
    Aerial shot of ritual bathers at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. The Kumbh mela is a fifty-five day festival where it seems as if the whole of humanity has landed on the shores of the sacred rivers. The pilgrims gather at these sacred ghats (banks) to take ritual baths. This act is believed to cleanse a person of his or her sins and deliver them from the cycle of birth and death. Photographer: Satish Chalotra.
  • An akhara (ascetic sect) procession on their way to a shahi snan (royal bath) at Maghi Purnima at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. On auspicious days like those of the Shahi Snan (royal bath) also called the Rajyogi Snan millions of pilgrims follow the akharas into the sacred waters. The Shahi Snan is believed to have the potential of rewarding the pilgrim with spiritual rewards so the timings are assigned after careful calculations.
    An akhara (ascetic sect) procession on their way to a shahi snan (royal bath) at Maghi Purnima at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. On auspicious days like those of the Shahi Snan (royal bath) also called the Rajyogi Snan millions of pilgrims follow the akharas into the sacred waters. The Shahi Snan is believed to have the potential of rewarding the pilgrim with spiritual rewards so the timings are assigned after careful calculations.
  • Pilgrims, devotees and ascetics at the Ganga, Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Around 14 million people are said to have participated in the Shahi Snan at Triveni sangam during the 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela at Prayag.
    Pilgrims, devotees and ascetics at the Ganga, Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Around 14 million people are said to have participated in the Shahi Snan at Triveni sangam during the 2019 Ardh Kumbh Mela at Prayag.
  • A meeting of two sadhus against a backdrop of a colourful wall painting of Naga sadhus at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Kumbh has a deep religious and spiritual significance in Hindu cosmology but the social dimension that is attached to it cannot be ignored. The pilgrim or the sadhu also travels to the Kumbh to meet and socialize with other fellow beings. Photographer: Senthilkumar Kandhakrishnan.
    A meeting of two sadhus against a backdrop of a colourful wall painting of Naga sadhus at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Kumbh has a deep religious and spiritual significance in Hindu cosmology but the social dimension that is attached to it cannot be ignored. The pilgrim or the sadhu also travels to the Kumbh to meet and socialize with other fellow beings. Photographer: Senthilkumar Kandhakrishnan.
  • A procession of female ascetics at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. The Kumbh Mela is a time for celebration and joyfulness for many. It is a time to meet people and feel the power of oneness.
    A procession of female ascetics at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. The Kumbh Mela is a time for celebration and joyfulness for many. It is a time to meet people and feel the power of oneness.
  • Street performers or nats at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. The Kumbh is not only a spiritual festival but it offers a variety of cultural experiences to the pilgrims and devotees from massive state-sponsored cultural programmes and exhibitions to traditional mela performances by the nats (performers). Photographer: Yogesh Pal.
    Street performers or nats at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. The Kumbh is not only a spiritual festival but it offers a variety of cultural experiences to the pilgrims and devotees from massive state-sponsored cultural programmes and exhibitions to traditional mela performances by the nats (performers). Photographer: Yogesh Pal.
  • A diorama of the samudra manthan (ocean-churning) episode from the Puranas at Sanskriti Gram (culture village) the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj (Allahabad), 2019. The etymology of the term ‘Kumbh’ is associated with the immortal pot of nectar or amrita from the samudra manthan (ocean-churning) episode mentioned in various texts like the Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata and the Vishnu Purana.
    A diorama of the samudra manthan (ocean-churning) episode from the Puranas at Sanskriti Gram (culture village) the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj (Allahabad), 2019. The etymology of the term ‘Kumbh’ is associated with the immortal pot of nectar or amrita from the samudra manthan (ocean-churning) episode mentioned in various texts like the Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata and the Vishnu Purana.
  • Peshwai of the Kinnar Akhara on camel back at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. The arrival of the various ascetic sects at the Kumbh for the shahi snan (royal bath) is marked by a procession of the akharas called the Peshwai on chariots and horses. In 2019 the Kinnar Akhara (transgender ascetic sect) was allowed to take out a Peshwai by the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad and it became quite a special and colourful occasion full of music, dancing and flowers.
    Peshwai of the Kinnar Akhara on camel back at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. The arrival of the various ascetic sects at the Kumbh for the shahi snan (royal bath) is marked by a procession of the akharas called the Peshwai on chariots and horses. In 2019 the Kinnar Akhara (transgender ascetic sect) was allowed to take out a Peshwai by the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad and it became quite a special and colourful occasion full of music, dancing and flowers.
  • Akharas (ascetic orders) with their banners cross a pontoon bridge on their way to shahi snan (royal bath) during Basant Panchami at Prayag Kumbh, 2019.
    Akharas (ascetic orders) with their banners cross a pontoon bridge on their way to shahi snan (royal bath) during Basant Panchami at Prayag Kumbh, 2019.
  • Naga sadhus at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Large numbers of the reclusive Naga sadhus are seen during the shahi snan (royal bath) at the Kumbh making their way into the holy water armed with swords and tridents. The Naga sadhus perform the severest of renunciations and meditation. Their unclothed, ash-smeared, garlanded bodies and matted hair present a rare opportunity for pilgrims to get darshan of these ascetics. Such darshan is considered to be as holy as the ritual bath.
    Naga sadhus at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Large numbers of the reclusive Naga sadhus are seen during the shahi snan (royal bath) at the Kumbh making their way into the holy water armed with swords and tridents. The Naga sadhus perform the severest of renunciations and meditation. Their unclothed, ash-smeared, garlanded bodies and matted hair present a rare opportunity for pilgrims to get darshan of these ascetics. Such darshan is considered to be as holy as the ritual bath.
  • A special parade of Kumbh Mela buses at Prayagraj (Allahabad), 2019. Besides the colourful processions of sadhus and sadhvis 500 special Kumbh Mela buses were paraded at the city of Prayagraj (Allahabad) in March 2019 by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) at the Kumbh Mela creating a Guinness World Record for the largest parade of buses in the world.
    A special parade of Kumbh Mela buses at Prayagraj (Allahabad), 2019. Besides the colourful processions of sadhus and sadhvis 500 special Kumbh Mela buses were paraded at the city of Prayagraj (Allahabad) in March 2019 by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) at the Kumbh Mela creating a Guinness World Record for the largest parade of buses in the world.
  • Co-ordination meeting of Mela Parishad officials and representatives of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad at Prayagraj (Allahabad), 2019. A lot of planning and preparation goes into the organization of a Kumbh Mela. The order of the shahi snan (royal bath) has to be determined and logistics of crowd control, security and hygiene have to be carefully looked into by the Mela administration.
    Co-ordination meeting of Mela Parishad officials and representatives of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad at Prayagraj (Allahabad), 2019. A lot of planning and preparation goes into the organization of a Kumbh Mela. The order of the shahi snan (royal bath) has to be determined and logistics of crowd control, security and hygiene have to be carefully looked into by the Mela administration.
  • Mock drill by security forces at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Security and crowd management is of prime importance at the Kumbh Mela.
    Mock drill by security forces at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Security and crowd management is of prime importance at the Kumbh Mela.
  • Night-time view of Tent city at Prayagraj Kumbh in 2019. Around 4000 tents equipped with modern facilities and comforts were offered to the visiting devotees for booking.
    Night-time view of Tent city at Prayagraj Kumbh in 2019. Around 4000 tents equipped with modern facilities and comforts were offered to the visiting devotees for booking.
  • A sadhu walks by a water point at Prayag Kumbh while a roadside barber gives a shave to a customer near a makeshift shelter, 2019.
    A sadhu walks by a water point at Prayag Kumbh while a roadside barber gives a shave to a customer near a makeshift shelter, 2019.
  • Roll call of cleaners at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. More than 10,000 cleaners were deployed by the mela administration to ensure a clean mela experience for pilgrims and devotees.
    Roll call of cleaners at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. More than 10,000 cleaners were deployed by the mela administration to ensure a clean mela experience for pilgrims and devotees.
  • Pontoon bridges connecting the river banks and people at Prayag Kumbh, 2019. 22 such pontoon bridges were constructed to get people, animals and vehicles across rivers.
    Pontoon bridges connecting the river banks and people at Prayag Kumbh, 2019. 22 such pontoon bridges were constructed to get people, animals and vehicles across rivers.
  • Morning aarti or puja at the banks of the sangam at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Countless people borne along by faith travel thousands of miles to arrive at the Kumbh Mela.
    Morning aarti or puja at the banks of the sangam at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. Countless people borne along by faith travel thousands of miles to arrive at the Kumbh Mela.
  • Till next time! People on a pontoon bridge at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. The Kumbh Mela becomes a temporary site for people to meet and connect for more than a month. A bittersweet time. However, the pilgrims know that the next Kumbh is near-at-hand.
    Till next time! People on a pontoon bridge at the Prayag Kumbh, 2019. The Kumbh Mela becomes a temporary site for people to meet and connect for more than a month. A bittersweet time. However, the pilgrims know that the next Kumbh is near-at-hand.

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