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.
Members of Kinnar Akhara perform as visitors and devotees look on, during Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Members of Kinnar Akhara take a holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami, during Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Rowdy Mai, a member of Kinnar Akhara, during evening prayers at the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Kinnar Akhara head Laxmi Narayan Tripathi hugs a devotee as a gesture to extend blessings, during Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Kinnar Akhada's Mahamandaleshwar Bhawani Nath Valmiki performs daily rituals as devotees look on, during Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Kinnar Akhara head Laxmi Narayan Tripathi extends blessings to police personnel and other devotees at her tent, during Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Artist dressed-up as Ravana at the 33rd Surajkund International Arts and Crafts Mela 2019, in Faridabad.
High priests of Niranjani akhada sit with garlands before leaving for Varanasi after participating in the Kumbh Mela festival at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, in Prayagraj.
Swami Narendra Giri, President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, left, and other hindu holy men of Niranjani akhada prepare to leave for Varanasi after participating in the Kumbh Mela festival at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, in Prayagraj.
BJP President Amit Shah takes blessings of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Avdheshanand Giri at Juna Akhara ashram during his visit to Kumbh Mela 2019 in Prayagraj.
BJP President Amit Shah participates in rituals after taking a holy dip at Sangam during his visit to Kumbh Mela 2019 in Prayagraj.
BJP President Amit Shah, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Dy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, takes a holy dip at Sangam during his visit to Kumbh Mela 2019 in Prayagraj.
Former chief minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje at Sangam during Kumbh Mela 2019, in Allahabad
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on his way to take holy bath at Sangam on the occasion of 'Basant Panchmi' festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagaraj.
Union Minister of State Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti arrives to take a dip at Sangam on the occasions of 'Basant Panchmi' festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagaraj.
Pilgrims arrive to take a ritualistic dip on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami at Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Thousands of pilgrims take a ritualistic dip on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami at Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Thousands of pilgrims take a ritualistic dip on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami at Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
An aerial view of Sangam as sadhus and devotee take holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
An aerial shot shows a sea of devotees gathered at Sangam to take a holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
An aerial shot shows a sea of devotees gathered at Sangam to take a holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Sadhus cross a pontoon bridge for a ritualistic dip on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami at Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Sadhus perform rituals after holy dip on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami at Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Sadhus perform rituals for salvation after taking bath at Sangam on the occasion of 'Basant Panchmi' festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagaraj.
A sadhus dries up his hait after taking a holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Naga sadhus return after taking holy bath at Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Naga sadhus proceed towards Sangam to take bath on the occasion of 'Basant Panchmi' festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagaraj.
Sadhus apply bhasmi (ashes) on each other after taking holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Naga sadhus after taking holy bath at Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Naga sadhus after taking holy bath at Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Sadhus arrive for a ritualistic dip on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami at Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
A naga sadhu proceeds towards Sangam to take bath on the occasion of 'Basant Panchmi' festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagaraj.
Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a transgender activist and leader of the monastic order "Kinnar akhara" returns in a procession after ritualistic dip on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami at Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Naga sadhus return after taking holy bath at Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Naga sadhus on their way to take holy bath at Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Hindu holy men get ready for a ritualistic dip on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami at Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Naga sadhus arrive to take holy bath at Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Naga sadhus return after taking holy bath at Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Sadhus take ritualistic dip on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami at Sangam, the confluence of sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Sadhus arrive at Sangam to take a holy dip on the occasion of Basant Panchami festival during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, second left, performs rituals at Sangam, the confluence of the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj.
Union Minister for Road Transport Highways & Shipping Nitin Gadkari and Deputy Chief Minister of UP Keshav Prasad Maurya inaugurate the second phase of River Information System (RIS) between Farakka and Patna, at Sangam in Allahabad.
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari arrives at Sangam to take a holy dip during Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and others offer prayer after taking a holy dip at Sangam during Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Newly-initiated Naga Sadhus perform rituals at the bank of Ganga river during the ongoing Kumbh Mela festival 2019, in Prayagraj.
A Sadhvi gets her head shaved before performing rituals on the bank of River Ganga during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj.
Pilgrims arrive to board their trains after taking a holy dip in river Ganges during Kumbh Mela, at Allahabad railway station.
Police personnel look at the charred furniture at Yogi Mahasabha Gorakhnath Akhada camp where a fire broke out during the ongoing Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
A view of Sangam at early hours on the auspicious 'Mauni Amavasya' during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
A view of Sangam on the auspicious 'Mauni Amavasya' during the Kumbh Mela 2019, in Prayagraj.
Thousands of devotees take dips at Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, on Mauni Amavsya or the new moon day, the most auspicious day during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
An ariel view from a helicopter is seen as thousands of devotees taking dips at Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, on Mauni Amavsya or the new moon day, the most auspicious day during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
A holy woman blows a conch shell before a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, on Mauni Amavsya or the new moon day, during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Naga Sadhus leave in a procession to take dips at Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, on Mauni Amavsya or the new moon day, the most auspicious day during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Naga Sadhus take dips at Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, on Mauni Amavsya or the new moon day, the most auspicious day during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Naked ash-smeared Naga Sadhus return to their camp after taking dip at Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, on Mauni Amavsya or the new moon day, the most auspicious day during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
Devotees bathe their Guru at Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati, on Mauni Amavsya or the new moon day, the most auspicious day during the Kumbh Mela or the Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj.
