KUMBH 2019
The Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu mythology. It is the largest public gathering and collective act of faith, anywhere in the world. The Mela draws tens of millions of pilgrims over the course of approximately 48 days to bathe at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mystical Sarasvati. Primarily, this congregation includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis, and Pilgrims from all walks of life.
Kumbh Mela, in Hinduism, is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over a course of 12 years. The geographical location of Kumbh Mela spans over four locations in India and the Mela site keeps rotating between one of the four pilgrimages on four sacred rivers as listed below:
Haridwar on the Ganges in Uttarakhand
Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh
Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra
Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Uttar Pradesh
Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the Jupiter. The celebrations occur at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied, as it is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism. The Kumbh Mela is an event that intrinsically encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and socio-cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in knowledge.
Pilgrims to the Kumbh Mela come from all sections of the religion ranging from Sadhus (saints) and Naga Sadhus who practice ‘sadhana’ and keenly follow a strict path of spiritual discipline, to Hermits who leave their seclusion and come to visit the civilization only during the Kumbh Mela, to seekers of spirituality, and to common people practicing Hinduism.
During the Kumbh Mela, a number of ceremonies take place; the traditional procession of Akharas called ‘Peshwai’ on elephant backs, horses and chariots, the shining swords and rituals of Naga Sadhus during ‘Shahi Snaan’, and many other cultural activities that attract millions of pilgrims to attend the Kumbh Mela.
Kumbh 2019 took place in Prayagraj .
Naga Sadhu Hindu Dharmavlmbi monk known for being naked that and be an expert in martial arts. They live in various akharas which were practiced by Adiguru Shankaracharya.
Peshwai Procession is a royal procession of the Naga Sadhus during Kumbh Mela.The Peshwai marks the arrival of the members of an akhara or sect of sadhus at the Kumbh Mela
During the Peshwai Naga sadhu's stand in a line and follow the head of the Akhara inside the Kumbh area
A shot of the volunteers who play these drums while the nagas arrive inside the kumbh area
Naga sadhus have a very royal entry and most of them arrive on Camel , Elephants and horses .
For the first time in Kumbh 2019 , an Akhada was formed by the transgender which was lead by the head Laxmi Narayan Tripathi (known as Laxmi, ) . Laxmi is a transgender rights activist and Bharatanatyam dancer in Mumbai, India. She was born in Malti Bai Hospital on 13th Dec 1978 in Thane. Laxmi is a hijra. She is the first transgender person to represent Asia Pacific in the UN in 2008.
Naga Sadhu showing off his long Dread hair
Devotees feel that a coin given by a transgender is very lucky. These devotees are asking for the blessings from the transgenders during Peshwai .
Naga Sadhus are not only devoted to god but they are completely equipped with latest tech gears.
Nagas hold a chillam ( smoke pipe ) and smoke herbs which they consider a blessing from Lord Mahadev . Chanting " HAR HAR MAHADEV"
Kumbh happens during winter and the Naga ( naked) sadhus dont wear anything , to keep their body warm they cover themselves in ash to keep their body warm
Portrait of a Naga Sadhu
Old Naga Sadhu showing his skills of spinning the stick during peshwai
A pontoon bridge (or ponton bridge), also known as a floating bridge, uses floats or shallow-draft boats to support a continuous deck for pedestrian and vehicle travel. These Bridges are made just for 3 months during the Kumbh .
Naga Sadhu line up for the Royal bath day early morning before sunrise and march towards the Sangam ( where three holy rivers meet Ganges , Yamuna & Saraswati ) according to the time given to each Akhada by the security officials .
Devotees march with the Naga sadhu seeking blessing
Naga Sadhus standing the holy place sangam in Prayagraj in Kumbh 2019 and praying to Lord before taking a holy Dip at Sangam on the Royal bathing day
With lot of excitement they run to take a holy dip at sangam
Performing Surya (sun) namaskaar and praise the lord for blessing .
The 'Diksha' ceremony , where hundreds of Sadhus performed rituals to become naga sadhu. Braving the cold , around 1100 sadhus took holy dip into the Ganges as a part of rituals to adopt naked sect of monkhood at kumbh Mela
The process known as 'Diksha" , has several stages before becoming a 'Naga Sadhu' . It involves putting a sacred white thread around their shoulder , taking 108 holy dips into the Ganges and performing Pind Daan
Rituals during Pind Daan .
Naga sadhu filling his pot with Holy water Ganges
They sat in queues at the river bank with their shaved heads and wearing only a loincloth around their waist to begin a spiritual way of living .
A sadhu performing Pind Daan for his 7 generations from both sides of his family ( Mother & Father )
Portrait of Rudhraksha Sadhu
Devotee lighting up a dia at the bank of sangam
Naga sadhu Performing some Martial Art skills
Boats parked in queue at the Holy Sangam .
Night View of Kumbh area .