Man bathes in the Ganges betweenba series of temporary bridges
The Kumbh Mela occurs every twelve years at the Indian city of Allahabad. During this event, millions of Hindus from all around the world converge at the confluence of three holy rivers: the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati. Here a temporary city is built on the dry river bed to accommodate the religious pilgrims, Sadhus and Swamis.
Sadhu meditates in his tent while offering blessings to passerby’sNaga Sadhu’s joyously celebrate Shahi Snan, one of the holiest days in Hinduism.
Sadhu’s bound in decorative rope march through the mela center.Flower perched on spare tire in the back of a tuk tuk.
A basket of paper boats filled with Pooja offerings to be sent down the river
People travel along the dirt roads lined with steel platesThree women bathe in the Ganges. A man carries life jackets along the barrier. Another tosses seed to the birds. Here at the rivers edge life gives and it receives. It preserves and purifies.
A lone white horse and its rider cross the temporary bridge towards Sangam
Bridges span from Sangam to the Mela centerThe sun rises weak through the haze as the tent city stirs, a hose coiled on the sand.
Woman prays to Mother Ganga
A tuk tuk crammed full with passengersA maze of sarees and clothes dry in the sun
Two sadhu’s (Hindu sages/priests) converse while a man stirs a giant kettle of milk representing the Samudra Manthan, an auspicious ocean of milk from Vedic mythology. This scene, peppered with religious symbolism, was one of countless others within the grand theater of the Mela. Every street, a cast of characters with stories and wisdom to share. But this was far more than pageantry. This was a reflection of the dense and diverse Hindu culture. This was a glimpse into millennia. These were the most
Spectacularly lit entrance to central Mela areaThe back of a truck doubles as a bed and laundry room.
Women gather along the shore of the Ganges to give puja offerings
An elephant named Lakshmi collects money from bystanders as her owner commands her to do various tricks.Family rests in a SUV
Novice monk runs through his ashram
Illuminated roadside food stallBoats line the shore as a mass of people gather to bathe in the ganges
Early morning rush to Sangam, the confluence of the three holy rivers.
Bangled hands light a small flame and a stick of incense on the riverbank.Marigolds and petals crowd the water against the pontoons, the morning's offerings drifting together.
Thousands press toward the water through the night, a fire glowing at the heart of the crowd.
A sadhu throws his head back mid-chant, prayer beads wrapped around his raised arm.A young girl balances on a tight rope while another stands stoically below to collect money from bystanders.
Sadhu stands stoically in the cold waters of
Guru enters a Hindu temple that he upkeeps.Arms flung wide, the sadhus roar as they plunge into the water.
Tents in every color crowd together on the riverbed.
Petals and marigold garlands spill into the black water beside an orange float.Body floats seemingly lifeless in the Ganges for several minutes
Huddled by a fire, a family gathers on the outskirts of the Mela, preparing for their morning walk to Ganga.
Hundreds of Sadhu’s prepare to rush into the Ganges for the celebration of Shahi SnanBoats wait on the dark river as gulls settle on the water, the far shore lit end to end.
Saffron flags crowd the far bank. In the water, a lifeguard waves toward shore as the cameras wait.
Naga sadhus charge into the river while a wall of cameras records every splash.Under the floodlights, pilgrims wade into the river in the dark before dawn.
An elder with a white beard rises from the water, one hand pressed to his chest.
Vedic text sits on a novice monk’s vibrant blanketMan sits with staff in abandoned building where his family is residing during the mela.
Beautiful orangeness scattered throughout the mela area
Five puppies peer over a brick ledge, keeping watch on the lane.At night the pontoon bridges glow in rows, pilgrims crossing in silhouette.
A lone tree stands over the bare riverbed at the edge of the camps.
Man sleeps in an ocean of colored fabrics.Mayuri Ma cradles a baby in a pink blanket, her forehead painted gold and red, as the others lean in close.
A phone records the fire and the lit shore beyond it.
A frenzy of Naga Sadhu’s celebrate Shahi Snan at Sangam, the confluence of three holy rivers.Novice monk studies in his tent
A man stands, bathed in crimson light, downloading the teachings from the glowing roadside sadhu. Here at Kumbh consciousness moves. It is pulled and pushed. For some it shrinks and others it expands.From above, the temporary city sprawls along the river, pontoon bridges stitched across the water.
