A Cultural Fiesta at Sangam during Kumbh
A holy bath at the Kumbh Mela, based on ancient beliefs, paves the way to heaven. It is a huge and long-running festival of Hindus, to which not only saints and mahatmas come from every corner of the world for a holy bath, but a mammoth crowd of pilgrims also arrives on the bank of the Sangam. Despite the cultural diversity of India, the lives of saints and pilgrims seem to be the same on the bank of the Sangam. This book is a memoir of the Kumbh Mela 2013 through photographs.
- Published
- 2019, Luminous Books, Varanasi
- ISBN
- 978-81-9419-664-8
- Price
- ₹1000
- Book design
- Peeyush Kumar Gupta
Kumbh
Kumbh is the only event when Naga Sadhus, who reside in Himalayan caves, can be seen amongst the general Indian population. This book outlines the portraiture of the Mahakumbh 2013.
Sadhus’ routine in Kumbh
The Naga Sadhus are worshippers of Lord Shiva and a warrior class of ascetics. They rarely appear in public; the Kumbh Mela and its Shahi Snan (royal bath) is one of those rare events.
Hair-braiding Sadhu
Departure for Shahi Snan
Pilgrims’ routine in Kumbh
Common people gathered beside the holy Ganga and the Sangam in mammoth numbers from every corner of India, with strong faith, through a shivering winter; most were elderly, and the government arranged bonfires for them.
Immersion in Dhuni
Images from the book. Higher-resolution prints on request.