The holy gathering at the Ardh Kumbh Mela

Taking selfies during the holy march

Offerings and Puja items that are used for worshipping

Members of Kinnar Akhara approaching the sacred ghats

Preparation of spiritual exercise leading to moksha (enlightenment)

Communal kitchens were set to offer food to the needy

Faces that have a story to tell

Local people wait for their turn to take a holy dip

A Sadhavi holds a trident as she takes a holy dip at Sangam on the auspicious day of Mauni Amavasya

Pouring the nectar of immortality

Pilgrims submerging and emerging together from the water amid the chants of ‘Har Har Gangey’

Offering prayers to the rising sun

Women and children immersing themselves in the dazzling water

A devotee prays during the Ardh Kumbh Mela

With the advent of the promising hour, pilgrims take a sacred dip into the holy river

Naga sadhus are the first ones to take the mighty dip

Many foreign tourists also participate in the holy bath at Prayagraj

One considers that taking a bath at the Kumbh will cleanse the soul

Gazing with wonder

A sadhu smoking marijuana in a chillam

Inside the camps of Naga sadhus at the Kumbh Mela

Singing and dancing with their 'Gurus' at the hymns of the Lord Shiva

Sadhus are filled with enthusiasm during the shahi snan (holy bath)

The colourful flags represent the sea of humanity at the Kumbh Mela

The sea of humanity, saffron flags, millions of pilgrims, the smell of smoke from the holy fires, people with deep religious and ritualistic belief experiencing the power of devotion which turns the very water into amrit–the holy water of immortality. The largest religious faith gathering begins at Allahabad (now Prayagraj), in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. 

Ardh Kumbh Mela, the sacred 50 days long gathering that started on January 15 and ends on March 4, invites the huge Hindu- congregation at the ghats of Prayagraj from all over India and abroad following their religious instincts. The mass ritual bathing into the sacred river is the greatest gathering on earth. The holy bath is led by large group of naked Hindu Naga- sadhus with their ash-smeared bodies, chants of Har Har Gange along with millions of devotees.

Eternal glory

Saffron draped monks, sadhus and sanyasis carry tridents which is a symbol of Hindu God Shiva, can be seen chanting prayers and blowing conch shells as they approach to join the huge congregation. Naga-sadhus make a grand entry on their carriages beautifully decked up, some with their shahi savari (royal chariots), some with horses and elephants, singing and dancing at the hymns of Lord Shiva. Several akhadas (Hindu religious groups) arrive in the holy city of Prayagraj and it was for the first time that Kinnars (transgenders) set their foot to participate in the holy march at Kumbh Mela.