SHADES OF KUMBH!

The 49-day Kumbh Mela will commence with the first official bathing of Makar Sankranti in Prayagraj on January 15 and end with the sixth and last bathing of Mahashivratri on March 4, 2019.

For the mela a sprawling tent city spread across 3,200 hectares and divided in 20 sectors has been set up and almost every next day is witnessing consecration of flags and formal entries of the one or the other of the 13 Akhadas (monastic orders).

Grand entry of the saints in their diverse but appealing attrite in the mela area known as ‘Peshwai’ is preceded by the ritual of ‘Dharam Dhwaja Pujan’ wherein the saints of every akhada install and unfurl/consecrate flag of their respective akhadas in the land allotted to them in mela area few days before the entry in mela area.

On main bathing days each Akhada proceeds to bathing ghats in a grand procession in a set order of precedence for the bathing--a spect-acle that attracts millions.

The ‘Dharam Dhwaja Pujan’ of akhadas commenced with Shri Panch Agni Akhada performing the ritual on December 20, 2018 while the last akhadas to perform ‘Dharam Dhwaja Pujan’ was ‘Panchayati Akhada Naya Udaseen’ on January 9 after “Nirvani Ani Akhada’, ‘Nirmohi Ani Akhada’ and ‘Digamber Ani Akhada’ on January 5.

PIC:SHEERAZ RIZVI/HT A young devotee showcasing his skills during a procession at the site ahead of Kumbh Mela that begins on January 15.

PIX: SHEERAZ RIZVI & ANIL KUMAR MAURYA/HT An overview of the mela sight that has been prepared for the Kumbh that starts in Prayagraj from January 15

ENTRY WITH DISCIPLES IN TOW A PERFECT BACKDROP

Kinnars dancing their way in.

Grand entry of the Akhadas to their respective places at the mela area.

GRAND PROCESSION

WELCOME GATE

UNDER GOD’S SHADOW

HERE WE COME!

MAKESHIFT SHELTER

GUP-SHUP AT THE BANK

MELA BOUND

ONE FOR THE ALBUM

LIGHTING UP THE SPIRITS

FOREIGN BHAKTS

BIKE BABA!