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11. PRAYAGA, KHUMBHA MELA Khumbha Mela, Allahabad, India |
Despite the popularity of Maha-Shivaratri with most Sadhus, there is one festival that far surpasses it as far as popularity and turn-out--the great Khumbha Mela, a bathing festival held at the sites of Prayaga (Allahabad), Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain on a rotating basis every four years. At Prayag, where the Yamuna River joins the Ganga, that the largest number of human beings in history gathered-15 million on Februray 6, 1998. It is said that the nectar of immortality was spilled on these sites during an ancient battle between the gods and the demons. Therefore, millions of people descend on these sites to bathe at the auspicious moments, to socialize, and to celebrate. Here two Sadhus bathe in the foreground while lay people come from bathing in the background. The sadhus wear wooden chastity belts. |