February 10th, an estimated 30 million devotees will take a holy dip at the “Sangam”, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers in Allahabad on this most auspicious occasion called ‘‘Mauni Amavasya”.
In order to really capture the essence of the big day, I’ll include images from the 9th, to show the massive influx of people streaming into the Mela in anticipation of the “big day”.
The crowd will gather to take a hold bath on February 10th because it is believed to be the occasion of the Mauni Amavasya, the day when the universe was created. Swami Krma Puri, well respected asetic noted: “Today’s bathing has a lot of importance. This amavasya is a most auspicious occasion of this Kumbh. Whoever takes a holy dip on this occasion has his sins washed off completely. That is why people from all over the world come to take a holy dip. This occasion has come after such a long time. So it has a lot of significance. So that is why it is so crowded here”. The ‘Mauni Amavasya’ is considered the most auspicious of all the bathing days and is by far the biggest.
On the morning of Februar 10th, we left our camp at 2:15 am to walk to the Sangam. Along the way we witnessed literally millions of pilgrims, descending towards the Ganges. It was a chilly morning but we were literally warmed by the mass of humanity surrounding us.
This was my second Kumbh Mela, the first being the 2001 Maha Kumbh Mela. 12 years ago and I vowed that I would return. I did, and I brought with me, 10 fellow photographers. It was indeed, an incredible experience. Like the 2001 Kumbh , this year’s festivities exceeded all of my expectations. I’ll be returning in 2025 and I hope you’ll consider coming along.
Please enjoy these 35 images.
Amazing photos Karl… You captured the huge crowds so well that I would be totally scared to death of getting lost and never finding my way out of there!!
Wondering as well, how your fellow photographers fared and would love to hear from them.
Susan Woog Wagner
Wow again! Amazing images Karl!
Man, I’ve never seen so many people in one place! Love the “feel” of your images here once again. And that single edge shave would cost you about $100 bucks in a decent barbershop in LA or New York!
Prost,
Terry
And we thought Pushkar was crowded! These are great shots, Karl, and the crowd scenes are truly daunting. I’ll stick with Vietnam….and am looking forward to seeing you there.
Bunkie Ludwig
Holy Cow Karl . . . . really looking forward to November.
Jan
Karl, this is a fantastic group of images.. from focussing in on small details and individuals to
the wide shots showing the huge scale of this gathering. I go through them over and over again..
I definitely want to go with you in 2025!
Thanks
Frank
Thanks Frank!
And, I’m glad you’ll be joining me in 2025, it’s always a pleasure to travel and photograph with you!
Take care,
Karl