The Maha Kumbh Mela, India
A view of the river Yamuna as it winds its way to meet the River Ganges at the Sangam (on the horizon) at Prayagraj , India.To the left of the shot are the ramparts of Prayagraj (Allahabad) Fort built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. As the sun sets, lights come on in the camps established for pilgrims to the Kumbh Mela
The Kumbh Mela or Festival of the Sacred Pitcher is an important Hindu Pilgrimage celebrated approximately every 6th, 12th and 144 years, correlated with the partial or full revolution of Jupiter. It represents the largest gathering of human beings in the world.Some come to take a dip in the holy waters and atone for their sins, some come in quest of spirituality or inner peace and some come just to witness the Wonder that is India.:-)
The festival is marked by a ritual dip in the waters which Hindus believe is a means of atonement for past sins.The festival is also a celebration of community commerce with numerous fairs, mass gathering of sadhus(monks), religious discources by saints and other activities.
This year the Maha Kumbh Mela which happens every 144 years is being held at the city of Prayagraj or Allahabad in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It commenced on the 13th of January, 2025 and already over 50 crore devotees have visited the Mela. Sadly, there have been two stampedes in which a total of over a hundred pilgrims have lost their lives.
The Maha Kumbh has seen celebrities not only from India but also abroad. Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of late Steve Jobs, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Dakota Johnson and Richard Gere are some international celebrities who have visited the Maha Kumbh Mela, 2025.
The Mela comes to an end on the 26th of February on the auspicious occassion of Maha Shivratri. Incredible India!
The Kumbh Mela or Festival of the Sacred Pitcher is an important Hindu pilgrimage celebrated approximately every 6th, 12th and 144 years correlated with the partial or full revolution of the Jupiter. Traditionally the 4 riverside sites where the Fair is held periodically are - Prayagraj or Allahabad (Confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati), Haridwar ( River Ganges), Nashik- Trimbakeshwar (River Godavari) and Ujjain (River Shipra).Hindu Mythology describes the creation of a pot (Kumbh) of Amrit ( Nectar of immortality) after the forces of good (the Gods) and evil (the Demons) churn the Ocean of Creation.The Gods and Demons fight over this pot and in the process the pot splits and the nectar is spilt at the above 4 places where the Kumbh Melas are held.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, India
A view of the river Yamuna as it winds its way to meet the River Ganges at the Sangam (on the horizon) at Prayagraj , India.To the left of the shot are the ramparts of Prayagraj (Allahabad) Fort built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. As the sun sets, lights come on in the camps established for pilgrims to the Kumbh Mela
The Kumbh Mela or Festival of the Sacred Pitcher is an important Hindu Pilgrimage celebrated approximately every 6th, 12th and 144 years, correlated with the partial or full revolution of Jupiter. It represents the largest gathering of human beings in the world.Some come to take a dip in the holy waters and atone for their sins, some come in quest of spirituality or inner peace and some come just to witness the Wonder that is India.:-)
The festival is marked by a ritual dip in the waters which Hindus believe is a means of atonement for past sins.The festival is also a celebration of community commerce with numerous fairs, mass gathering of sadhus(monks), religious discources by saints and other activities.
This year the Maha Kumbh Mela which happens every 144 years is being held at the city of Prayagraj or Allahabad in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It commenced on the 13th of January, 2025 and already over 50 crore devotees have visited the Mela. Sadly, there have been two stampedes in which a total of over a hundred pilgrims have lost their lives.
The Maha Kumbh has seen celebrities not only from India but also abroad. Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of late Steve Jobs, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Dakota Johnson and Richard Gere are some international celebrities who have visited the Maha Kumbh Mela, 2025.
The Mela comes to an end on the 26th of February on the auspicious occassion of Maha Shivratri. Incredible India!
The Kumbh Mela or Festival of the Sacred Pitcher is an important Hindu pilgrimage celebrated approximately every 6th, 12th and 144 years correlated with the partial or full revolution of the Jupiter. Traditionally the 4 riverside sites where the Fair is held periodically are - Prayagraj or Allahabad (Confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati), Haridwar ( River Ganges), Nashik- Trimbakeshwar (River Godavari) and Ujjain (River Shipra).Hindu Mythology describes the creation of a pot (Kumbh) of Amrit ( Nectar of immortality) after the forces of good (the Gods) and evil (the Demons) churn the Ocean of Creation.The Gods and Demons fight over this pot and in the process the pot splits and the nectar is spilt at the above 4 places where the Kumbh Melas are held.