( Kumbh Mela, Kumbha Mela, Kumba Mela, Khumb Mela 2001 )
photo essay by Doug Brown

The following pictures were taken over a 4 day period, and are simply a reflection of one man's eye at an event that held a picture every where you looked.

click on the small images for full screen images

In the beginning, with motorized traffic stopped in an 18 kilometer perimeter of Allahabad, early mornings saw uncountable pilgrims flowing towards the confluence of the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Estimates range between 50 and 100 million people visited during a 6 week period.

" ... and their eyes reflected a sense of awe and blessing at the privilege each experienced by being here. Words fail to describe 20 million happy humans."

Naked Naga
Holy Man - sadhu - renunciate - saint.
These revered, ecstatic, naked ascetics , lead the processions for the first baths of the day. "....and at the bathing sight the sun broke through the early morning fog and the bathers were revealed in their prayers".