wpostServer: http://css.washingtonpost.com/wpost
Maha Kumbh Mela Millions of Hindus gather in the northern Indian city of Allahabad, where a religious celebration takes place every 12 years, commemorating the victory of gods over demons in a battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.
Jan. 26, 2013
Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, hold national flags and celebrate India's Republic Day at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh festival, which is one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days and falls every 12 years.
Rajesh Kumar Singh
/
AP
Related Content
Jan. 25, 2013
Hindu holy men worship the Ganges River during the Maha Kumbh festival. During the festival, pilgrims bathe in the Ganges in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins.
Saurabh Das
/
AP
Jan. 25, 2013
Hindu couples from the western Indian state of Maharashtra perform rituals to strengthen their ties during the Maha Kumbh festival in Allahabad, India.
Saurabh Das
/
AP
Jan. 24, 2013
Hindu holy men belonging to the Panchayati Akhada Sri Niranjani group participate in a community feast in Allahabad, India.
Rajesh Kumar Singh
/
AP
Jan. 23, 2013
Indian Hindu pilgrims travel on boats to take a dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad will see up to 100 million worshippers gather over the next 55 days to take a ritual bath in the waters, believed to cleanse sins and bestow blessings.
Sanjay Kanojia
/
AFP/Getty Images
Jan. 22, 2013
Hindu holy men, pour milk into the waters as they perform rituals in Allahabad, India.
Rajesh Kumar Singh
/
AP
Jan. 22, 2013
A man displays his skills as Hindu holy men prepare for a a procession at the festival.
Rajesh Kumar Singh
/
AP
Jan. 22, 2013
A Hindu holy man dries his hair after a dip at Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna rivers during the Maha Kumbh festival in Allahabad, India.
Rajesh Kumar Singh
/
AP
Jan. 22, 2013
A Hindu holy man performs rituals at the festival.
Rajesh Kumar Singh
/
AP
Jan. 22, 2013
A child, dressed as Hindu god Shiva to seek alms, reacts to the camera in Allahabad, India.
Rajesh Kumar Singh
/
AP
Jan. 20, 2013
Temporary tents for devotees are set up in Allahabad, India.
Sanjay Kanojia
/
AFP/Getty Images
Jan. 18, 2013
A Hindu devotee takes a dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India.
Sanjay Kanojia
/
AFP/Getty Images
Jan. 18, 2013
A Hindu devotee takes a dip at Sangam in Allahabad. The Maha Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years; the Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years in Allahabad.
Sanjay Kanojia
/
AFP/Getty Images
Jan. 18, 2013
Hindu devotees take a dip at Sangamduring the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Sanjay Kanojia
/
AFP/Getty Images
Jan. 16, 2013
Indian Hindu devotees arrive for rituals in Allahabad, India.
Kevin Frayer
/
AP
Jan. 16, 2013
Indian Hindu children dressed as gods beg for alms from devotees at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Kevin Frayer
/
AP
Jan. 16, 2013
Hindu women get ready for a holy dip during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Manish Swarup
/
AP
Jan. 16, 2013
A Hindu man stands with a holy cow as he waits for alms at Sangam in Allahabad.
Kevin Frayer
/
AP
Jan. 16, 2013
A naga sadhu, or Hindu holy man, prays as he sits on the banks at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Daniel Berehulak
/
Getty Images
Jan. 15, 2013
A Hindu holy man performs for donations during an aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges River during the Maha Kumbh Mela festivities in Allahabad,
Daniel Berehulak
/
Getty Images
Jan. 15, 2013
A naga sadhu performs during an aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges River during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Daniel Berehulak
/
Getty Images
Jan. 15, 2013
A Hindu priest and a devotee take part in an evening prayer ritual at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, at the Maha Kumbh Mela celebration in Allahabad.
Kevin Frayer
/
AP
Jan. 15, 2013
A female Hindu devotee gets ready as her husband, center, prepares for a dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Manish Swarup
/
AP
Jan. 15, 2013
Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Daniel Berehulak
/
Getty Images
Jan. 15, 2013
A Hindu holy man waits to offer blessings to devotees at Sangam in Allahabad.
Kevin Frayer
/
AP
Jan. 15, 2013
A naga sadhu, or Hindu holy man, stretches while sitting in his camp at Sangam in Allahabad.
Manish Swarup
/
AP
Jan. 15, 2013
Indian Hindu devotees bathe at Sangam in Allahabad.
Kevin Frayer
/
AP
Jan. 15, 2013
A Hindu holy man and his dog watch as devotees walk past his tent at Sangam in Allahabad.
Manish Swarup
/
AP
Jan. 14, 2013
A devotee prays at Sangam in Allahabad.
Deepak Sharma
/
AP
Jan. 15, 2013
A young Hindu devotee holds on as his father prays while they bathe in a shallow section of the Sangham during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Roberto Schmidt
/
AFP/Getty Images
Jan. 14, 2013
Millions of Hindus gather early morning at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, on one of the most auspicious day Makar Sankranti and first the day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad.
Manish Swarup
/
AP
Jan. 14, 2013
A Hindu holy man watches others as they wait for a dip at Sangam in Allahabad.
Manish Swarup
/
AP
Jan. 14, 2013
Hindus bathe in the waters of the Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Daniel Berehulak
/
Getty Images
Jan. 14, 2013
A man helps his wife take a dip during the first Shahi Snan (grand bath) at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Jitendra Prakash
/
Reuters
Jan. 14, 2013
A Hindu man holds up belongings for relatives as they take a dip at Sangam in Allahabad.
Kevin Frayer
/
AP
Jan. 14, 2013
Hindu men ride in the back of a truck during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Roberto Schmidt
/
AFP/Getty Images
Jan. 14, 2013
A Hindu holy man applies ashes on his body after taking a dip during the first Shahi Snan in Allahabad.
Jitendra Prakash
/
Reuters
Jan. 14, 2013
A Hindu boy braces after being taken for a dip at Sangam during the royal bath on Makar Sankranti at the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Kevin Frayer
/
AP
Jan. 14, 2013
A Hindu man prays as he bathes in the Sangham in Allahabad.
Roberto Schmidt
/
AFP/Getty Images
Jan. 14, 2013
Naga sadhus celebrate in the water at Sangam in Allahabad.
Kevin Frayer
/
AP
Jan. 14, 2013
Hindus bathe in the waters of the Ganges River in Allahabad
Daniel Berehulak
/
Getty Images
Jan. 14, 2013
A naga sadhu bathes with his fellow Hindus in the waters of the Ganges river at Sangam in Allahabad.
Daniel Berehulak
/
Getty Images
Jan. 14, 2013
A man leads a group of devotees during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
Sanjay Kanojia
/
AFP/Getty Images
Jan. 14, 2013
Hindus line up as they join a procession that will take them to the waters at Sangham in Allahabad.
Sanjay Kanojia
/
AFP/Getty Images
FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES
Photos of the day
Buddhist Wesak festival, prisoners-of-war reunion, bridge collapse, world’s largest Lego model and more.
Flexing their muscles
Dozens of bodybuilders came out to Silver Spring to compete in the 2013 Musclemania Capital Tournament of Champions.
Animal views
Fun and fascinating creatures around the world.
???initialComments:true! pubdate:01/14/2013 09:21 EST! commentPeriod:14! commentEndDate:1/28/13 9:21 EST! currentDate:5/24/13 8:0 EDT! allowComments:false! displayComments:true!
Section:/world
Loading...
Comments