The major feature of this trip to India was the chance to take part in the Kumbh Mela (aka Kumbha Mela). It is a religious event that happens every 12 years in 4 alternating locations (with a major event happening once every 144 years). Millions of faithful Hindus bathe at the site(s) where Vishnu spilled drops of nectar from a pot (khumb). Estimates vary but run between 120 and 150 million attendees over the 2 months of the event. On the main bathing day, Mauni Avasaya, between 14 and 30 million people take part. We visited the event over the course of 3 days and will break the photos into 2 entries.

Attending Kumbh is almost indescribable. The crowds are immense – to the point of overwhelming every sense, all at the same time. In Paryagraj (formerly Allahbad) it takes place in the delta/flood plains where the Ganges, Yumana and the imaginary/mystical Saraswati Rivers meet. The area is filled with market stalls, hawkers, sadus, religious acres and acres and acres of tents.