Kumbha Mela

Kumbh Mela, the largest spiritual gathering of mankind on the Earth, is held every 12 years on the banks of the ‘Sangam’- the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Millions of devotees take a holy dip in the sacred water during the mela. Maha Kumbha Mela held only at Prayag, once in every 144 years. It is believed that at the historic moment of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the river turns itself into sanctity spots filled with ‘Amrita’ (Panacia or elixir of immortality). The pilgrims get once in a lifetime chance to bathe in the spirit of holiness, auspiciousness and salvation.

As mythology tells us, when Gods (Devtas) and Demons (Asura) used to reside on Earth, Gods were under the influence of a curse that gave birth of fear in them eventually making them weak. Brahma (the Creator) advised them to churn the milky ocean to obtain the elixir of immortality (Amrita). And Kumbh was the spot chosen to store the nectar of immortality recovered from Samudramanthan.

For 12 heavenly days and 12 heavenly nights, equivalent to 12 Earthly years, Gods were chased by Demons for the possession of Amrita. During the chase for the Amrita, few drops of this elixir out of its ‘Kumbha’ (Pot) fell on four places now known as Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. The whole Kumbha mela (carnival) and its cycle are a remembrance of that Mythological story. The mela takes place in all these four places. Out of these, the one celebrated at the Holy Sangam in Allahabad is the largest and believed to be the holiest one. Thus the Kumbh Mela became one of the main festivals of Hindus as well as the largest spiritual gathering of mankind on Earth.

Pontoon Bridge. The preparations include constructing at least 22 temporary pontoon bridges to accommodate the influx of pedestrians, vehicles, and animals expected to arrive on the riverbanks. Notably, in 2019, bridge number 19, the longest pontoon bridge in the history of the Kumbh, stretched 1.1 kilometers across the Ganga, connecting the Naini and Chatnag sides of the river. This bridge comprises 230 pontoons and is situated near Chatnag Ghat. Over 1,800 floating steel pontoons are currently undergoing repairs, construction, and installation, with decking being added as thousands of workers gear up for the event.
A Naga Sadhu is doing puja in Kumbh Mela
A group of Naga Sadhus are meditating in Maha Kumbh Mela
After bathing, a group of young Sadhus gathers early in the morning during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India.
A Naga Sadhu smokes a chillum at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India
A Sadhu taking a holy dip in Kumbh Mela
A Vaishnava Sadhu, who is a devotee of Lord Vishnu, is performing Dhuna Tapasya: Panch Agni Tapasya in Allahabad Kumbh Mela in 2019. Sadhus practice a severe austerity called the panch-agni-tapasya, or five-fire practice. During this practice, the sadhu places pieces of burning cow dung around them as they meditate or perform hatha yoga. Over a period of eighteen years, the sadhu gradually increases the number of fires from five at the beginning to a full ring of fire that includes a pot of burning cow dung on the head by the end. This austerity is usually practised during the hottest point of summer, and it severely tests the sadhu's ability to remain focused on their chosen mantra and deity. Sadhus sit in fire for at least five to twelve hours per day in seven stages.
A Naga Sadhu befor the sahi snan at Kumbh Mela, Allahabad, India
Sondhi Puja (Evening Puja), during Maha Kumbh Mela on the Ganges.
Naga Sadhu at Maha Kumbh Mela, Allahabad, India
Sadhus are getting a haircut in a ritual before becoming Naga Sadhu. At every Kumbh, thousands of devotees are initiated into the reclusive sect of the Naga Sadhus — naked, ash-smeared cannabis-smoking Hindu ascetics and onetime-armed defenders of the faith who for centuries have lived in jungles and caves. Performed by senior priests, the elaborate process of initiation comprises five rituals, starting with the shaving of heads and beards, ritual offering of saffron robes, wearing prayer beads, applying ash on the body and giving up their last piece of clothing. After a purifying bath in the river and a prayer ceremony, the sadhus have to perform “Pind Dan,” a Hindu funeral ritual to pay homage to their ancestors for the salvation of their souls. “They will consider themselves dead, and only their soul will live on. They will pronounce themselves dead even while living,” said Santosh Mishra, a 50-year-old priest of the Juna Akhara.
A group of Sadhus are sitting after getting a haircut as part of a ritual before becoming Naga Sadhus. At every Kumbh, thousands of devotees are initiated into the reclusive sect of the Naga Sadhus — naked, ash-smeared cannabis-smoking Hindu ascetics and onetime-armed defenders of the faith who for centuries have lived in jungles and caves. Performed by senior priests, the elaborate process of initiation comprises five rituals, starting with the shaving of heads and beards, ritual offering of saffron robes, wearing prayer beads, applying ash on the body and giving up their last piece of clothing. After a purifying bath in the river and a prayer ceremony, the sadhus have to perform “Pind Dan,” a Hindu funeral ritual to pay homage to their ancestors for the salvation of their souls. “They will consider themselves dead, and only their soul will live on. They will pronounce themselves dead even while living,” said Santosh Mishra, a 50-year-old priest of the Juna Akhara.
A group of Hindu sadhus were returning to their akharas after completing the "Pind Dan" ritual, a funeral ceremony performed to pay homage to their ancestors for the salvation of their souls, following a purifying bath in the river.
Pavitra Nimbhorakar, a leader and secretary of the Kinnar Akhada, oversees the 2,500 members of the Hindu ascetic order during the Kumbh Mela. Pavitra has been with the group since its inception and said that they had been prepping to participate in Prayagraj Kumbh for two years. In a historic first during the 2019 Kumbh Mela, a group of transgender sadhus, known as the Kinnar Akhada, made their debut. Led by transgender activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a former reality TV star and prominent activist known for her distinctive tattoos, the group's members adorn themselves in vibrant sarees and jewellery, making a striking appearance at the festival. Traditionally, akhadas have been male-dominated, with no akhadas led by cisgender women and only a few women ascetic members in certain groups. However, the transgender religious order was embraced by the Juna Akhada, the oldest and largest of the 13 sects that establish camps at every Kumbh to conduct prayers, religious lectures, and blessings for visitors. Inclusion in the Juna Akhada granted transgender members the privilege to participate in the royal holy dip (shahi snan) on auspicious days at the confluence of rivers in Prayagraj, ahead of millions of other pilgrims.
A transgender sadhu of the Kinnar Akhada during Ardh Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. In a historic first during the 2019 Kumbh Mela, a group of transgender sadhus, known as the Kinnar Akhada, made their debut. Led by transgender activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a former reality TV star and prominent activist known for her distinctive tattoos, the group's members adorn themselves in vibrant sarees and jewellery, making a striking appearance at the festival. Traditionally, akhadas have been male-dominated, with no akhadas led by cisgender women and only a few women ascetic members in certain groups. However, the transgender religious order was embraced by the Juna Akhada, the oldest and largest of the 13 sects that establish camps at every Kumbh to conduct prayers, religious lectures, and blessings for visitors. Inclusion in the Juna Akhada granted transgender members the privilege to participate in the royal holy dip (shahi snan) on auspicious days at the confluence of rivers in Prayagraj, ahead of millions of other pilgrims.
A transgender sadhu of the Kinnar Akhada with devotees during Ardh Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. In a historic first during the 2019 Kumbh Mela, a group of transgender sadhus, known as the Kinnar Akhada, made their debut. Led by transgender activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a former reality TV star and prominent activist known for her distinctive tattoos, the group's members adorn themselves in vibrant sarees and jewellery, making a striking appearance at the festival. Traditionally, akhadas have been male-dominated, with no akhadas led by cisgender women and only a few women ascetic members in certain groups. However, the transgender religious order was embraced by the Juna Akhada, the oldest and largest of the 13 sects that establish camps at every Kumbh to conduct prayers, religious lectures, and blessings for visitors. Inclusion in the Juna Akhada granted transgender members the privilege to participate in the royal holy dip (shahi snan) on auspicious days at the confluence of rivers in Prayagraj, ahead of millions of other pilgrims.
Devotees are crossing the pontoon bridge in dense fog
A group of Naga Sadhvis also called “Maata” are sitting in front of a fire during a mass initiation ceremony. In the community of Naga Sadhus, both men and women are present. However, female Naga Sadhus are rare and seldom interact with the world. Women become Naga Sadhus after rigorous penance. For this, they have to perform the same rigorous reparation for years, offer Pind Daan while they are still alive, shave their heads, and then go somewhere and become a female Naga Sadhu. Female Naga Sadhus live secluded lives in forests, caves, and mountains, dedicating themselves to the worship of God. Unlike male Naga Sadhus, female Naga Sadhus do not practice nudity; instead, they wear saffron-colored clothes. They live like other Naga Sadhus, but instead of remaining without clothes, they also wear saffron-colored clothes. The cloth worn by female Naga Sadhus is unstitched and used to cover their bodies. Female Naga Sadhus are also known for their strict adherence to celibacy and ascetic practices, just like their male counterparts. Despite the challenges they face, these women continue to pursue spiritual enlightenment and dedicate their lives to serving a higher purpose.
Naga Sadhus are processing for the Sahi Snan during Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2019. Naga Sadhus are found all over the country but they are exclusively from the Himalayas. Deep in the mountains of the Himalayas, these sadhus live in subzero temperatures, wearing nothing more than a single piece of cloth and taking very minimum food. As they are in the search of enlightenment, they have very strict rules to be followed as they need to conserve energy for their concentration and meditation. They consume a certain amount of ‘charas’ or ‘hash’, which exclusively grows only in the Himalayan mountains. This specific kind of ‘charas’, when consumed produces an immense amount of heat in the body, so it helps them to cope up with the extreme cold temperatures in the mountains. Kumbh Mela, the largest spiritual gathering of mankind on the Earth, is held every 12 years on the banks of the 'Sangam'- the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Millions of devotees take a holy dip in the sacred water during the mela. Maha Kumbha Mela held only at Prayag, once in every 144 years. It is believed that at the historic moment of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the river turns itself into sanctity spots filled with ‘Amrita’ (Panacia or elixir of immortality). The pilgrims get once in a lifetime chance to bathe in the spirit of holiness, auspiciousness and salvation. As mythology tells us, when Gods (Devtas) and Demons (Asura) used to reside on Earth, Gods were under the influence of a curse that gave birth of fear in them eventually making them weak. Brahma (the Creator) advised them to churn the milky ocean to obtain the elixir of immortality (Amrita). And Kumbh was the spot chosen to store the nectar of immortality recovered from Samudramanthan. For 12 heavenly days and 12 heavenly nights, equivalent to 12 Earthly years, Gods were chased by Demons for the possession of Amrita. During the chase for the Amrita, few drops of this elixir out of it
A Naga Sadhu standing in his akhara before the Sahi Snan at Kumbh Mela, Allahabad.
In the process of the modernization of Kumbh Mela sadhus are allowed for a special pass for holy dip.
Early in the morning millions of devotees are taking the holy dip on the Ganges during Maha Kumbh Mela
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