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World’s largest religious festival begins in India

By Hue ManeJanuary 13, 2025No Comments0 Views

World’s largest religious festival begins in India

The Mahakumbh Mela is being held in the northern city of Prayagraj.

Devotees of Ankit Srinivas perform fire rituals as they enter the festival. — The Mahakumbh Mela is being held in the northern city of Prayagraj.

Millions of people gather in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, northern India, to take part in this event. Mahakum MelaThe world’s largest human gathering.

Devout Hindus from all over the world have arrived here (and continue to do so) for six weeks to take a holy dip in the Sangam, the confluence of India’s most sacred rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

Hindus believe that immersing in sacred water cleanses people of their sins.

Authorities have set up a huge tent city spread over 4,000 hectares of open land along the riverbank to accommodate visitors who arrive at the grounds in large, colorful processions, singing and dancing along the way.

Photojournalist Ankit Srinivas takes us through some of the highlights of the festival.

About 400 million pilgrims are expected to attend the 45-day event.

Saints covered in ashes dance and enter the festival. — About 400 million pilgrims are expected to attend the 45-day event.

Pilgrims from all over the country arrive at Prayagraj for this event.

Two pilgrims walking towards Ankit Srinivas festival — Pilgrims from all over the country arrive at Prayagraj for this event.

Ash-buried pilgrims perform rituals at the Kumbh.

Ankit Srinivas Group of Hindu saints covered in ashes performing rituals at Mahakumbh — Ash-buried pilgrims perform rituals at the Kumbh.

Devout devotees will bathe in the Sangam, the confluence of India’s most sacred rivers, the Ganges and Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.

A group of saffron-clad men walking through the Ankit Srinivas festival grounds. — Devout devotees will bathe in the Sangam, the confluence of India’s most sacred rivers, the Ganges and Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.

Believers participating in the festival despite the cold weather

Devotees and Mahakumbh — Believers participating in the festival despite the cold weather

Kumbh is the largest religious gathering in the world.

Thousands of pilgrims gathered on the banks of the Ankit Srinivas River — Kumbh is the largest religious gathering in the world.

A vast tent city covering more than 4,000 hectares has been erected on the riverbank.

Aerial night view of Ankit Srinivas mega festival — A vast tent city covering more than 4,000 hectares has been erected on the riverbank.

Construction of Tent City began in September last year.

Aerial view of Ankit Srinivas river bank — Construction of Tent City began in September last year.

The festival ends on February 26th.

Ankit Srinivas The saint gazes into the camera. — The festival ends on February 26th.

Many Hindu saints will stay for the festival for 45 days

Ankit Srinivas, another saint arriving in a decorated vintage red car. — Many Hindu saints will stay for the festival for 45 days

The main attraction of Kumbh is the Naga Sadhus, or ascetics who throw themselves into the icy waters of the river.

Dozens of saints parade at the Ankit Srinivas festival — The main attraction of Kumbh is the Naga Sadhus, or ascetics who throw themselves into the icy waters of the river.

Kumbh Mela

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