These eye-popping images from Kumbh Mela reveal what it’s like when 100 million people come together for this one-of-a-kind event.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty ImagesNaga Sadhus, naked Hindu holy men, walk in procession after having bathed on the banks of the holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, during the Maha Kumbh Mela on February 10, 2013 in Allahabad, India.
LEGEND HOLDS THAT KUMBH MELA originated in an ancient battle between gods and demons for the elixir of immortality. And even today, Kumbh Mela absolutely lives up to those larger-than-life origins.
Four Indian cities (Hardiwar, Allahabad, Nashik, Ujjain) take turns hosting this Hindu festival at somewhat irregular intervals, which are determined by the positioning of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter. Each location plays host once every 12 years.
The mass gathering allows ordinary Hindus to interact with and receive religious rites from the sadhus (holy men) that attend. Moreover, Kumbh Mela allows both sadhus and civilians to bathe in the festival site’s holy river, thereby cleansing themselves of sin.
As you might guess for a festival borne of divine battle and celebrated according to the alignment of celestial bodies, Kumbh Mela is positively gargantuan. More than 120 million people attended the 2013 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad over its two-month duration with 30 million attending on the festival’s holiest day alone. Those figures still may not give you the full scope of just how big this festival is, so maybe these photos will:
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1 of 33Kumbh Mela’s crucial moment is the bathing in the sacred rivers. Above, sadhus run into the Sangham (the confluence of the the Yamuna and Ganges rivers) during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 14, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims led by naked, ash-covered holy men streamed into the sacred river during the festival.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 2 of 33The festival’s most auspicious bathing day is Makar Sankranti, at which time enormous crowds will gather at the river’s edge —above, in January 2013 in Allahabad.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 3 of 33Among all the bathers, the most revered are the naga sadhu (naked holy man), who go nude to show their separation from the material world. Above, a naga sadhu dries his hair after taking a holy bath at Sangham in Allahabad.STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images 4 of 33In addition to leading the bathing charge, sadhus will ritualistically paint their bodies, smoke pipes, and play traditional musical instruments.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 5 of 33Before sadhus take part in any rituals, however, they must first gather together and be initiated in a ceremony known as diksha (above).Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 6 of 33After initiation and before bathing, sadhus walk in a procession toward the holy river.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 7 of 33At the banks of the holy river, naga sadhus perform the aarti ceremony, a prayer ritual in which a sacrifice is offered to the gods.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 8 of 33Once in the holy river, sadhus will often shout and brandish swords as a way to mark and celebrate the beginning of the mass bathing.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 9 of 33A Bihari Hindu priest, smeared with colored powder, looks on after the completion of a ritual at the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 10 of 33Naga sadhus run to bathe in the holy Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 11 of 33Sadhus smoke at their camp near the ritual site at Sangham.Mario Tama/Getty Images 12 of 33A naga sadhu bathes in the Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 13 of 33A sadhu beats on drums as he and others like him march toward the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 14 of 33Hindu priests perform an aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 15 of 33Hindu devotees bathe on the banks of the Sangham.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 16 of 33While millions may bathe in the Ganges for Kumbh Mela, its waters can be extremely polluted. Above, men search for coins and gold amid the refuse.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 17 of 33Devotees pray while bathing in the Sangham.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 18 of 33A young, newly initiated naga sadhu sits after performing evening rituals at his camp.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 19 of 33Some sadhus use human bones in their rituals and healing rites.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 20 of 33A naga sadhu smokes a chillum, a traditional clay pipe, at his camp.RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images 21 of 33In addition to their clothing (or lack thereof) and body painting, many sadhus distinguish themselves with long dreadlocks.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 22 of 33Naga sadhus bathe in the waters of the Ganges during Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 23 of 33Hindu devotees walk through a dust storm at the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 24 of 33Thousands of Hindu devotees make their way across the pontoon bridges spanning the Ganges.JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images 25 of 33Naga sadhus charge into the Ganges river during Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 26 of 33A devotee offers prayers to the Sun God at Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 27 of 33A Indian woman makes mud stoves near the banks of the Ganges for use during Kumbh Mela.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 28 of 33Hindu pilgrims gather to bathe at sunrise at the Sangham.Mario Tama/Getty Images 29 of 33Devotees’ tents line the river’s edge.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 30 of 33A Hindu woman prays on the shore of the holy river.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 31 of 33Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees crowd the banks of the Ganges.JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images 32 of 33After the festival ends, massive amounts of refuse can be left behind. Above, a man collects recyclable material from camping grounds near the Sangham following the conclusion of Kumbh Mela.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 33 of 33Like this gallery?Share it:
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Welcome To Kumbh Mela, The Largest Human Gathering On Earth View Gallery
Next, step inside India’s eye-popping Theyyam festival, where humans become gods. Then, check out some of the weirdest festivals from around the world, and have a look at ten of the world’s most eye-catching all-nude festivals and events.
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1 of 33Kumbh Mela’s crucial moment is the bathing in the sacred rivers. Above, sadhus run into the Sangham (the confluence of the the Yamuna and Ganges rivers) during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 14, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims led by naked, ash-covered holy men streamed into the sacred river during the festival.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 2 of 33The festival’s most auspicious bathing day is Makar Sankranti, at which time enormous crowds will gather at the river’s edge —above, in January 2013 in Allahabad.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 3 of 33Among all the bathers, the most revered are the naga sadhu (naked holy man), who go nude to show their separation from the material world. Above, a naga sadhu dries his hair after taking a holy bath at Sangham in Allahabad.STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images 4 of 33In addition to leading the bathing charge, sadhus will ritualistically paint their bodies, smoke pipes, and play traditional musical instruments.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 5 of 33Before sadhus take part in any rituals, however, they must first gather together and be initiated in a ceremony known as diksha (above).Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 6 of 33After initiation and before bathing, sadhus walk in a procession toward the holy river.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 7 of 33At the banks of the holy river, naga sadhus perform the aarti ceremony, a prayer ritual in which a sacrifice is offered to the gods.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 8 of 33Once in the holy river, sadhus will often shout and brandish swords as a way to mark and celebrate the beginning of the mass bathing.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 9 of 33A Bihari Hindu priest, smeared with colored powder, looks on after the completion of a ritual at the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 10 of 33Naga sadhus run to bathe in the holy Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 11 of 33Sadhus smoke at their camp near the ritual site at Sangham.Mario Tama/Getty Images 12 of 33A naga sadhu bathes in the Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 13 of 33A sadhu beats on drums as he and others like him march toward the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 14 of 33Hindu priests perform an aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 15 of 33Hindu devotees bathe on the banks of the Sangham.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 16 of 33While millions may bathe in the Ganges for Kumbh Mela, its waters can be extremely polluted. Above, men search for coins and gold amid the refuse.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 17 of 33Devotees pray while bathing in the Sangham.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 18 of 33A young, newly initiated naga sadhu sits after performing evening rituals at his camp.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 19 of 33Some sadhus use human bones in their rituals and healing rites.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 20 of 33A naga sadhu smokes a chillum, a traditional clay pipe, at his camp.RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images 21 of 33In addition to their clothing (or lack thereof) and body painting, many sadhus distinguish themselves with long dreadlocks.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 22 of 33Naga sadhus bathe in the waters of the Ganges during Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 23 of 33Hindu devotees walk through a dust storm at the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 24 of 33Thousands of Hindu devotees make their way across the pontoon bridges spanning the Ganges.JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images 25 of 33Naga sadhus charge into the Ganges river during Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 26 of 33A devotee offers prayers to the Sun God at Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 27 of 33A Indian woman makes mud stoves near the banks of the Ganges for use during Kumbh Mela.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 28 of 33Hindu pilgrims gather to bathe at sunrise at the Sangham.Mario Tama/Getty Images 29 of 33Devotees’ tents line the river’s edge.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 30 of 33A Hindu woman prays on the shore of the holy river.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 31 of 33Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees crowd the banks of the Ganges.JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images 32 of 33After the festival ends, massive amounts of refuse can be left behind. Above, a man collects recyclable material from camping grounds near the Sangham following the conclusion of Kumbh Mela.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 33 of 33Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 33Kumbh Mela’s crucial moment is the bathing in the sacred rivers. Above, sadhus run into the Sangham (the confluence of the the Yamuna and Ganges rivers) during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 14, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims led by naked, ash-covered holy men streamed into the sacred river during the festival.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 2 of 33The festival’s most auspicious bathing day is Makar Sankranti, at which time enormous crowds will gather at the river’s edge —above, in January 2013 in Allahabad.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 3 of 33Among all the bathers, the most revered are the naga sadhu (naked holy man), who go nude to show their separation from the material world. Above, a naga sadhu dries his hair after taking a holy bath at Sangham in Allahabad.STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images 4 of 33In addition to leading the bathing charge, sadhus will ritualistically paint their bodies, smoke pipes, and play traditional musical instruments.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 5 of 33Before sadhus take part in any rituals, however, they must first gather together and be initiated in a ceremony known as diksha (above).Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 6 of 33After initiation and before bathing, sadhus walk in a procession toward the holy river.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 7 of 33At the banks of the holy river, naga sadhus perform the aarti ceremony, a prayer ritual in which a sacrifice is offered to the gods.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 8 of 33Once in the holy river, sadhus will often shout and brandish swords as a way to mark and celebrate the beginning of the mass bathing.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 9 of 33A Bihari Hindu priest, smeared with colored powder, looks on after the completion of a ritual at the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 10 of 33Naga sadhus run to bathe in the holy Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 11 of 33Sadhus smoke at their camp near the ritual site at Sangham.Mario Tama/Getty Images 12 of 33A naga sadhu bathes in the Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 13 of 33A sadhu beats on drums as he and others like him march toward the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 14 of 33Hindu priests perform an aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 15 of 33Hindu devotees bathe on the banks of the Sangham.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 16 of 33While millions may bathe in the Ganges for Kumbh Mela, its waters can be extremely polluted. Above, men search for coins and gold amid the refuse.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 17 of 33Devotees pray while bathing in the Sangham.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 18 of 33A young, newly initiated naga sadhu sits after performing evening rituals at his camp.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 19 of 33Some sadhus use human bones in their rituals and healing rites.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 20 of 33A naga sadhu smokes a chillum, a traditional clay pipe, at his camp.RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images 21 of 33In addition to their clothing (or lack thereof) and body painting, many sadhus distinguish themselves with long dreadlocks.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 22 of 33Naga sadhus bathe in the waters of the Ganges during Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 23 of 33Hindu devotees walk through a dust storm at the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 24 of 33Thousands of Hindu devotees make their way across the pontoon bridges spanning the Ganges.JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images 25 of 33Naga sadhus charge into the Ganges river during Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 26 of 33A devotee offers prayers to the Sun God at Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 27 of 33A Indian woman makes mud stoves near the banks of the Ganges for use during Kumbh Mela.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 28 of 33Hindu pilgrims gather to bathe at sunrise at the Sangham.Mario Tama/Getty Images 29 of 33Devotees’ tents line the river’s edge.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 30 of 33A Hindu woman prays on the shore of the holy river.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 31 of 33Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees crowd the banks of the Ganges.JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images 32 of 33After the festival ends, massive amounts of refuse can be left behind. Above, a man collects recyclable material from camping grounds near the Sangham following the conclusion of Kumbh Mela.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 33 of 33Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 33Kumbh Mela’s crucial moment is the bathing in the sacred rivers. Above, sadhus run into the Sangham (the confluence of the the Yamuna and Ganges rivers) during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 14, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims led by naked, ash-covered holy men streamed into the sacred river during the festival.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 2 of 33The festival’s most auspicious bathing day is Makar Sankranti, at which time enormous crowds will gather at the river’s edge —above, in January 2013 in Allahabad.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 3 of 33Among all the bathers, the most revered are the naga sadhu (naked holy man), who go nude to show their separation from the material world. Above, a naga sadhu dries his hair after taking a holy bath at Sangham in Allahabad.STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images 4 of 33In addition to leading the bathing charge, sadhus will ritualistically paint their bodies, smoke pipes, and play traditional musical instruments.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 5 of 33Before sadhus take part in any rituals, however, they must first gather together and be initiated in a ceremony known as diksha (above).Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 6 of 33After initiation and before bathing, sadhus walk in a procession toward the holy river.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 7 of 33At the banks of the holy river, naga sadhus perform the aarti ceremony, a prayer ritual in which a sacrifice is offered to the gods.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 8 of 33Once in the holy river, sadhus will often shout and brandish swords as a way to mark and celebrate the beginning of the mass bathing.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 9 of 33A Bihari Hindu priest, smeared with colored powder, looks on after the completion of a ritual at the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 10 of 33Naga sadhus run to bathe in the holy Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 11 of 33Sadhus smoke at their camp near the ritual site at Sangham.Mario Tama/Getty Images 12 of 33A naga sadhu bathes in the Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 13 of 33A sadhu beats on drums as he and others like him march toward the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 14 of 33Hindu priests perform an aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 15 of 33Hindu devotees bathe on the banks of the Sangham.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 16 of 33While millions may bathe in the Ganges for Kumbh Mela, its waters can be extremely polluted. Above, men search for coins and gold amid the refuse.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 17 of 33Devotees pray while bathing in the Sangham.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 18 of 33A young, newly initiated naga sadhu sits after performing evening rituals at his camp.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 19 of 33Some sadhus use human bones in their rituals and healing rites.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 20 of 33A naga sadhu smokes a chillum, a traditional clay pipe, at his camp.RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images 21 of 33In addition to their clothing (or lack thereof) and body painting, many sadhus distinguish themselves with long dreadlocks.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 22 of 33Naga sadhus bathe in the waters of the Ganges during Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 23 of 33Hindu devotees walk through a dust storm at the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 24 of 33Thousands of Hindu devotees make their way across the pontoon bridges spanning the Ganges.JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images 25 of 33Naga sadhus charge into the Ganges river during Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 26 of 33A devotee offers prayers to the Sun God at Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 27 of 33A Indian woman makes mud stoves near the banks of the Ganges for use during Kumbh Mela.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 28 of 33Hindu pilgrims gather to bathe at sunrise at the Sangham.Mario Tama/Getty Images 29 of 33Devotees’ tents line the river’s edge.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 30 of 33A Hindu woman prays on the shore of the holy river.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images 31 of 33Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees crowd the banks of the Ganges.JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images 32 of 33After the festival ends, massive amounts of refuse can be left behind. Above, a man collects recyclable material from camping grounds near the Sangham following the conclusion of Kumbh Mela.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images 33 of 33Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 33Kumbh Mela’s crucial moment is the bathing in the sacred rivers. Above, sadhus run into the Sangham (the confluence of the the Yamuna and Ganges rivers) during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 14, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims led by naked, ash-covered holy men streamed into the sacred river during the festival.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
2 of 33The festival’s most auspicious bathing day is Makar Sankranti, at which time enormous crowds will gather at the river’s edge —above, in January 2013 in Allahabad.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
3 of 33Among all the bathers, the most revered are the naga sadhu (naked holy man), who go nude to show their separation from the material world. Above, a naga sadhu dries his hair after taking a holy bath at Sangham in Allahabad.STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images
4 of 33In addition to leading the bathing charge, sadhus will ritualistically paint their bodies, smoke pipes, and play traditional musical instruments.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
5 of 33Before sadhus take part in any rituals, however, they must first gather together and be initiated in a ceremony known as diksha (above).Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
6 of 33After initiation and before bathing, sadhus walk in a procession toward the holy river.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
7 of 33At the banks of the holy river, naga sadhus perform the aarti ceremony, a prayer ritual in which a sacrifice is offered to the gods.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
8 of 33Once in the holy river, sadhus will often shout and brandish swords as a way to mark and celebrate the beginning of the mass bathing.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
9 of 33A Bihari Hindu priest, smeared with colored powder, looks on after the completion of a ritual at the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
10 of 33Naga sadhus run to bathe in the holy Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
11 of 33Sadhus smoke at their camp near the ritual site at Sangham.Mario Tama/Getty Images
12 of 33A naga sadhu bathes in the Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
13 of 33A sadhu beats on drums as he and others like him march toward the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
14 of 33Hindu priests perform an aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
15 of 33Hindu devotees bathe on the banks of the Sangham.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
16 of 33While millions may bathe in the Ganges for Kumbh Mela, its waters can be extremely polluted. Above, men search for coins and gold amid the refuse.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
17 of 33Devotees pray while bathing in the Sangham.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
18 of 33A young, newly initiated naga sadhu sits after performing evening rituals at his camp.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
19 of 33Some sadhus use human bones in their rituals and healing rites.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
20 of 33A naga sadhu smokes a chillum, a traditional clay pipe, at his camp.RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images
21 of 33In addition to their clothing (or lack thereof) and body painting, many sadhus distinguish themselves with long dreadlocks.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
22 of 33Naga sadhus bathe in the waters of the Ganges during Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
23 of 33Hindu devotees walk through a dust storm at the Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
24 of 33Thousands of Hindu devotees make their way across the pontoon bridges spanning the Ganges.JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images
25 of 33Naga sadhus charge into the Ganges river during Makar Sankranti.Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
26 of 33A devotee offers prayers to the Sun God at Sangham.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
27 of 33A Indian woman makes mud stoves near the banks of the Ganges for use during Kumbh Mela.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
28 of 33Hindu pilgrims gather to bathe at sunrise at the Sangham.Mario Tama/Getty Images
29 of 33Devotees’ tents line the river’s edge.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
30 of 33A Hindu woman prays on the shore of the holy river.ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
31 of 33Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees crowd the banks of the Ganges.JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images
32 of 33After the festival ends, massive amounts of refuse can be left behind. Above, a man collects recyclable material from camping grounds near the Sangham following the conclusion of Kumbh Mela.Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
33 of 33Like this gallery?Share it:
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Welcome To Kumbh Mela, The Largest Human Gathering On Earth View Gallery
Welcome To Kumbh Mela, The Largest Human Gathering On Earth View Gallery
Welcome To Kumbh Mela, The Largest Human Gathering On Earth View Gallery
Welcome To Kumbh Mela, The Largest Human Gathering On Earth View Gallery
Welcome To Kumbh Mela, The Largest Human Gathering On Earth
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