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.
Bridges, both permanent and temporary, span the Ganges, providing passage to and from the Mela.
Man bathes in the Ganges betweenba series of temporary bridges
A Naga Sadhu meditates in his tent, offering blessings to those who pass.
Naga Sadhus rush into the Sangam during the celebration of Shahi Snan
Religious acolytes enter the Mela
Flower perched on spare tire in the back of a tuk tuk.
Flowers are sold along the shoreline as puja offerings to the Gods.
People travel along the dirt roads lined with steel plates
Three 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 rider cross the bridge to Sangam
Bridges span from Sangam to the Mela center
Woman prays in the Ganges
A tuk tuk crammed full with passengers
A 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.
Spectacularly lit entrance to central Mela area
The 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 stall
Boats 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.
Guru enters a Hindu temple that he upkeeps.
Vedic text sits on a novice monk’s vibrant blanket
Beautiful orangeness scattered throughout the mela area
Man sleeps in an ocean of colored fabrics.
Novice monk studies in his tent
