This street photography essay was submitted to Edge of Humanity Magazine by Prabhat Singh the photographer behind Prabhat Photos.  The images depict the Kumbh Mela a Hindu Pilgrimage of faith in Allahabad, India. Click on any image to see Prabhat’s gallery of photographs.

 

This ash smeared sadhu was sitting in his camp during Kumbh Mela at Allahabad. I saw him getting furious when people tried to take a picture without giving alms.
This ash smeared sadhu was sitting in his camp during Kumbh Mela at Allahabad. I saw him getting furious when people tried to take a picture without giving alms.
This group of Gujarati guys was waiting for holymen to come back after their bath at Sangam. They had strong faith, like millions of other pilgrims, that a sight of Mahatmas will bring them luck.
This group of Gujarati guys was waiting for holymen to come back after their bath at Sangam. They had strong faith, like millions of other pilgrims, that a sight of Mahatmas will bring them luck.
A pilgrim from Rajasthan suddenly came forward to express his gratitude for having an opportunity to visit Kumbh at Allahabad.
A pilgrim from Rajasthan suddenly came forward to express his gratitude for having an opportunity to visit Kumbh at Allahabad.
Holymen back from Sangam after holy dip. Beyond barricades are pilgrims who feel blessed having just a sight of them.
Holymen back from Sangam after holy dip. Beyond barricades are pilgrims who feel blessed having just a sight of them.
A pilgrim trying to grab a garland thrown by holymen as their blessing during Kumbh at Allahabad.
A pilgrim trying to grab a garland thrown by holymen as their blessing, during Kumbh at Allahabad.
Sadhus in queue to move for Sangam for bath.
Sadhus in queue, to move for Sangam for bath.
No one knew his real name. He was known as Rudraksha Baba (A Sadhu with prayer beads) as he wore lots of Rudrksha Mala.
No one knew his real name. He was known as Rudraksha Baba (A Sadhu with prayer beads) as he wore lots of Rudrksha Mala.
A holyman demonstrates Yoga to eastablish how Yogis control desire, during Kumbh at Allahabad.
A holyman demonstrates Yoga to eastablish how Yogis control desire, during Kumbh at Allahabad.
Procession of Akharas moving towards Sangam for taking a dip during Kumbh at Allahabad.
Procession of Akharas moving towards Sangam for taking a dip during Kumbh at Allahabad.
This sadhu was warming up as the winds were biting. Look at his eyes; earlier he had been smoking grass to warm up his body.
This sadhu was warming up as the winds were biting. Look at his eyes; earlier he had been smoking grass to warm up his body.
Pilgrims in Kumbh Mela at Allahabad.
Pilgrims in Kumbh Mela at Allahabad.

 

See also:

The Tharu People

Rajasthan

Varanasi

By Prabhat Singh

 


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