Gathering unlike any other… The Kumbh’s Sacrifice ,an article by Alan Jose highlights photographs of Ardha Kumbh at Allahabad and Maha Kumbh.
Lord Vishnu was transporting Amrit, the immortal drink in a Kumbh (meaning pot ) when he spilled drops of it in four places Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik & Trimbak and Ujjain . These are the four places of Kumbh Mela, the largest peaceful congregation of religious pilgrims in the world .2019 Marked the Ardha Kumbh at Allahabad ,which will be followed by Maha Kumbh in 2025.
Kumbh Mela
Devotees from around the world arrive the location and perform the main ritual, bathing in the ice cold water of Sangam (The confluence of River Ganges ,Yamuna and invisible Saraswathi) in Allahabad. Sadhus from 14 monastic ordres (called akharas),who generally live in remote caves came out only to attend Kumbh Mela once in 3 years at any of the 4 cities . Naga sadhus. Who stay naked covering their body with ashes,beads and garlands. They stay in tents smoking wooden chillums ( cigars ) in a state of trance. They are believed to be warriors in the past and maintain the nakedness in extreme weather as well . Hindu devotees across the globe believe that bathing in the divine river sins and brings salvation . Shiva sadhus, who are deities of Lord Shiva have long strands of hair and beard and are of distinctive aesthetic emblem of possessing supernatural powers.
The sadhus grow their hair without altering, which is an indication that they do not prefer to alter their physical appearance in accordance with the fashion or rituals of worldly people. This is why they abandon the worldly attachment embracing divine power
Ripened Forlorn Sadhu : An old sadhu roaming in the Kumbh mela
Striking old eyes : We can keep our mouth closed but eyes speak a lot
Blissful Aged Citizen : An old man having a glance at the camera
Try to be happy : Smile is the best platform to hide pain
Unruffled Desolate Person : An isolated sadhu on the banks of the sangam
The last hope : A deep rooted citizen living with the hope in the last stage of life
Intensified : An old man trying to have a strong look into the camera
Inexperienced Sadhu : Energetic young man trying to experience the life of a sadhu
Vigorous and stunning : Old by age but energetic by look
Copyrights:
All the photos and text in this post are copyright of Alan Jose , Idukki ,Creative Hut Institute of Photography. A photography school in Kerala called Creative Hut gave him a Professional Diploma in the Art of Photography. It is illegal to copy them, in whole or in part, without the permission of the rightful owners.
