Har Ki Pauri Ghat wears a deserted look during Kumbh Mela 2021 following a surge in COVID-19 cases, in Haridwar.
Tents belonging to Niranjani Akhada and Anand Akhada after they annouunced end of Kumbh Mela following a surge in COVID-19 cases, in Haridwar.
Akhada sadhus on their way to take bath at Har Ki Pauri on 3rd Shahi Snan of ongoing Kumbh Mela 2021, in Haridwar.
Devotees gather to offer prayers during the third 'Shahi Snan' of the Kumbh Mela 2021, at Har ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar.
Devotees gather to offer prayers during the third 'Shahi Snan' of the Kumbh Mela 2021, at Har ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar.
Devotees gather to offer prayers during the third 'Shahi Snan' of the Kumbh Mela 2021, at Har ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar.
Devotees gather to offer prayers during the third 'Shahi Snan' of the Kumbh Mela 2021, at Har ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar.
Devotees gather to offer prayers during Ganga aarti at Kumbh Mela, at Har ki Pouri, in Haridwar.
Sadhus performs ritual during morning prayers at Kumbh Mela 2021, amid surge in Covid-19 cases across country, in Haridwar.
Devotees gather at Har Ki Pauri ghat to offers prayers during Membh Mela 2021, amid surge in Covid-19 cases across country in Haridwar.
Sadhus during the second Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) at Har Ki Pouri, during Kumbh Mela 2021, in Haridwar.
Sadhus during the second Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) at Har Ki Pouri, during Kumbh Mela 2021, in Haridwar.
Hindu devotees gather to take holy dips in the Ganges River during Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism, in Haridwar, northern state of Uttarakhand. Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees gathered by the Ganges River for special prayers Monday, many of them flouting social distancing practices as the coronavirus spreads in India with record speed.
Naked Hindu holy men gather to take holy dips in the Ganges River during Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism, in Haridwar, northern state of Uttarakhand. Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees gathered by the Ganges River for special prayers Monday, many of them flouting social distancing practices as the coronavirus spreads in India with record speed.
A devotee pours milk as they gather to take holy dips in the Ganges River during Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism, in Haridwar, northern state of Uttarakhand. Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees gathered by the Ganges River for special prayers Monday, many of them flouting social distancing practices as the coronavirus spreads in India with record speed.
A man blows a Conch shell as devotees take holy dips in the Ganges River during Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Workers clean the steps as thousands of devotees arrive to take holy dips in the Ganges River during Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Devotees take holy dips in the Ganges River during Kumbh Mela, one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism, in Haridwar.
Devotees take holy dips in the Ganges River during Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism, in Haridwar.
Naked holy men take holy dips in the Ganges River during Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism, in Haridwar.
Devotees take holy dips in the river Ganges during Shahi snan or a Royal bath at Kumbh mela, in Haridwar.
Devotees stand behind barricades as they wait for Naga Sadhu or Naked Hindu holy men to arrive for Shahi snan or a Royal bath during Kumbh mela, in Haridwar.
Naga Sadhu or Naked Hindu holy men wait for the start of a procession towards the river Ganges for Shahi snan or a Royal bath during Kumbh mela, in Haridwar.
A woman talks to a Hindu holy man before the start of a procession for Shahi snan or a Royal bath during Kumbh mela, in Haridwar.
A Naga Sadhu or Naked Hindu holy man smokes before taking a holy dips in the river Ganges during Shahi snan or a Royal bath during Kumbh mela, in Haridwar.
A Naga Sadhu or Naked Hindu holy man rubes ash as he prepares to take holy dips in the river Ganges during Shahi snan or a Royal bath during Kumbh mela, in Haridwar.
Women sanyasins of Juna Akhara take part in a ritual to become sadhavis at Kumbh 2021 in Haridwar.
'Naga Sadhus' gather to take a holy dip in the waters of Ganga river to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat, in background group centre, with 'Naga Sadhus' in front of Ganga river to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Devotees take blessings from a hermit during a procession to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Devotees take part in a procession to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Hermits take a holy dip in the waters of River Ganga to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Hermits take a holy dip in the waters of River Ganga to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Hermits take a holy dip in the waters of River Ganga to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
'Naga Sadhus' take a holy dip in the waters of River Ganga to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Devotees take part in a procession to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Hermits take a holy dip in the waters of Ganga river to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
A 'Naga Sadhu' before taking a holy dip in the waters of Ganga river to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Hermits take a holy dip in the waters of Ganga river to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
Hermits gather to take a holy dip in the waters of Ganga river to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
'Naga Sadhus' gather to take a holy dip in the waters of Ganga river to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
A 'Naga Sadhu' before taking a holy dip in the waters of Ganga river to mark 'Maha Shivratri' during the ongoing religious Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar.
A Naga Sadhu or Naked hindu holy man takes a holy dip in the river Ganges during Shahi snan or a Royal bath to mark Maha Shivratri festival during Kumbh mela, in Haridwar.
Naga Sadhus participate in a procession, ahead of 'Maha Kumbh' festival, near Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar.
Naga sadhus participate in a procession ahead of Kumbh Mela 2o21, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Haridwar.
Naga sadhus participate in a procession ahead of Kumbh Mela 2o21, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Haridwar.
Naga sadhus participate in a procession ahead of Kumbh Mela 2o21, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Haridwar.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat offers prayers during his visit to the city to review the preparedness for Kumbh 2021, in Haridwar.
Naga sadhus participate in a procession ahead of Kumbh Mela 2o21, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Haridwar.
Labourers construct a temporary pontoon bridge as part of preparations for the annual ‘Magh Mela’, in Prayagraj.
Akhada Parishad President Narendra Giri, Mela officer Deepak Rawat, IG Kumbh Sanjay Gunjyal, and other members review preparedness for Kumbh Mela 2021, in Haridwar.
Head of Kinnar Akhada Laxmi Narayan Tripathi offers prayers for Kumbh 2021, at Har ki Pauri in Haridwar.
Members (holy men from various Akhadas) of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad hold a meeting regarding Haridwar Kumbh 2021, in Haridwar
Naga Sadhus take holy dip on auspicious Makar Sankranti day during the Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Gosh! We thought these two are getting married as a runaway couple! But no, Ranbir and Alia are merely ‘launching’ their film Brahmastra at the Kumbh Mela. A further gimmick: 150 drones spelt out the name on the night sky. Shouldn’t sadhus protest?
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhara Laxmi Narayan Tripathi during the 'Abhar Yatra' procession after Kumbh Mela 2019 in Prayagraj.
Kinnar Akhada chief Laxmi Nayaran Tripathi blessing to newly-appointed Kinnar Akhada Mandleshwar, at Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
A Sadhu sits on plastic waste at the bank of river Ganga during Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Boats tethered at the Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati as devotees take holy dips on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri during the last day of Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Boats tethered at the Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati as devotees take holy dips on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri during the last day of Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Boats tethered at the Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati as devotees take holy dips on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri during the last day of Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj. Pilgrims bathe in the river believing it cleanses them of their sins and ends their process of reincarnation.
'Swachh garhi' sweep a street in an attempt to create a record under 'Clean Kumbh Mela 2019 Swachata program' at the bank of river Ganga during the ongoing Kumbh Mela-2019, in Prayagraj.
Devotees gather to take a holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Devotees gather to take a holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Devotees offer prayer and take holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Devotees gather to take a holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Devotees offer prayer at a temple on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Devotees gather to take a holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Devotees offer prayer and take holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Devotees offer prayer and take holy dip on the occasion of 'Maha Shivaratri' festival during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh with others sweep a street in an attempt to create a record under 'Clean Kumbh Mela 2019 Swachata program' at the bank of river Ganga during the ongoing Kumbh Mela-2019, in Prayagraj.
A fleet of buses line a road in an attempt to create a record of largest parade of buses in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. With a fleet of more than 500 buses, the Uttar Pradesh government is aiming to break the record currently held by Abu Dhabi with a fleet of 390 buses.
500 Kumbh 2019 shuttle buses move together on the Kolkata-Delhi highway in an attempt for a world record, in Allahabad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation Uma Bharti at a programme during Kumbh Mela, at Ganga Pandal, in Prayagraj.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributes the Swachh Kumbh Swachh Aabhaar awards to Safai Karmacharis, Swachhagrahis, Police Personnel and Naviks in the Swachh Kumbh Swachh Aabhaar event, organised by the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, at Prayagraj, in Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath is also seen.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at an event during Kumbh Mela, at Ganga Pandal, in Prayagraj.
A foreign delegate stands for a photograph in front of giant posters of Sadhus at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during Kumbh festival in Prayagraj. More than 100 foreign delegates visited Kumbh on an invitation by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Foreign delegates, invited by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), visit the Kumbh Mela 2019 in Prayagraj. The delegates, nominated by Indian Missions abroad, include senior politicians, social reformers, Yoga practitioners, academicians, artistes, senior bureaucrats, medical professionals etc.
Devotees from Nepal carry holy water of River Ganga during Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, in Prayagraj.
A sadhu lies on thorns after taking bath at Sangam on the occasion of Maghi Purnima festival during Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Devotees gather to take ritualistic dips at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, on Maghi Purnima, or the full-moon day, during the Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj.
Devotees gather to take ritualistic dips at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, on Maghi Purnima, or the full-moon day, during the Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj.
Devotees arrive to take a holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of 'Maghi Purnima' during Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, in Prayagraj.
Paramilitary forces stand guard at Sangam on the auspicious 'Maghi Purnima' day during the Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, in Prayagraj.
Hindu devotees arrive to take a holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of 'Maghi Purnima' during Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, in Prayagraj.
A sadhu chants hymns after taking a holy dip at Sangam on the auspicious 'Maghi Purnima' day during the Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, in Prayagraj.
A Naga Sadhus sit inside their tents at Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Devotees participate in a community feast held by Vahe Guru Pandal at Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Pushpa Mai, a senior member of the Kinnar Akhara, uses her mobile phone during some free time ahead of evening rituals, at Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Security personnel take photos with a member of Kinnar Akhara, during Kumbh Mela 2019 in Prayagraj.
