15 images Created 24 Jun 2019
The Nectar of the Gods
The gods won. According to Hindu mythology, the gods won a hard fought battle with demons over a pot (Kumbh) containing nectar of immortality. During this 12 day battle however, a few drops of this precious nectar fell into the rivers of Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj, India. The important religious festival of Kumbh Mela is thus celebrated four times over the course of 12 years at these holy locations.
As the largest religious gathering in the world, the Kumbh Mela receives Hindu pilgrims from all across India. The Hindu devotees travel far and wide to bathe in the holy rivers and free themselves from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
As a travel and documentary photographer, I am always intrigued by the power of faith. This faith draws Hindu devotees, some with very limited means, to travel hundreds of miles to this religious event. They come by any means necessary, many just on foot, and with very little clothing and food.
Despite their hardships while traveling, on arrival to the festival the pilgrims are met with a 15 square mile temporary tent city, featuring food stalls, hospitals, portable toilets, fire and police service. The pilgrims partake in many religious events as sermons, musical performances and of course, the opportunity to bathe in the sacred river.
Another integral part of the Mela are the Sadhus (holy men), who are sought out by the pilgrims for their blessings and enlightenment.
Naga Sadhus are typically naked except for ash smeared all over their bodies. They take a vow of celibacy and renounce all worldly possessions. Urdhwavahurs, another type of Sadhu, perform rigid spiritual practices such as holding an arm up for years on end. The Sadhus can be seen almost continuously smoking marijuana, which they claim helps them with their own enlightenment.
To experience the Kumbh Mela is to witness the power of faith bringing Hindu devotees of all various castes peacefully together in a celebration of spirituality. Indeed, in 2017 UNESCO listed the Kumbh Mela as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
As the largest religious gathering in the world, the Kumbh Mela receives Hindu pilgrims from all across India. The Hindu devotees travel far and wide to bathe in the holy rivers and free themselves from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
As a travel and documentary photographer, I am always intrigued by the power of faith. This faith draws Hindu devotees, some with very limited means, to travel hundreds of miles to this religious event. They come by any means necessary, many just on foot, and with very little clothing and food.
Despite their hardships while traveling, on arrival to the festival the pilgrims are met with a 15 square mile temporary tent city, featuring food stalls, hospitals, portable toilets, fire and police service. The pilgrims partake in many religious events as sermons, musical performances and of course, the opportunity to bathe in the sacred river.
Another integral part of the Mela are the Sadhus (holy men), who are sought out by the pilgrims for their blessings and enlightenment.
Naga Sadhus are typically naked except for ash smeared all over their bodies. They take a vow of celibacy and renounce all worldly possessions. Urdhwavahurs, another type of Sadhu, perform rigid spiritual practices such as holding an arm up for years on end. The Sadhus can be seen almost continuously smoking marijuana, which they claim helps them with their own enlightenment.
To experience the Kumbh Mela is to witness the power of faith bringing Hindu devotees of all various castes peacefully together in a celebration of spirituality. Indeed, in 2017 UNESCO listed the Kumbh Mela as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
