It’s rare in the life of a photographer to have the opportunity be on scene at the largest religious spectacle on earth – India’s Kumbh Mela. Much like the aspirations of every devout Muslim to attend the Haj at Mecca at least once in their lifetime, the same is true for devout Hindus attending the Kumbh Mela.

Based on a mythical airborne battle for control over a pitcher of amrit, (a powerful spiritual nectar), the Kumbh Mela was established thousands of years ago by naked warrior ascetics known as Naga Sadhus, or colloquially, as Naga Babas. The great gathering of souls during auspicious star alignments every three years at one of the four locations where the amrit fell to earth, is said to energize river bathing areas, calledSangams, into holy amrit itself. Bathing in these sanctified waters it is claimed, will wash away sin and bring the true believer closer to moksha, or spiritual enlightenment. This year’s Ardh Kumbh Mela, held at Allahabad (ancient Prayag) near the confluence of three holy rivers – the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati – may not have been the largest Kumbh gathering ever, (2013 at the same location drew some 100 million people), but its estimated 40 million nevertheless dwarfs any other gathering of any kind. At least on this planet.

The event also drew hundreds of photojournos and documentary shooters from around the world, and I was lucky enough to be one of them. It was biggest challenge of my career, and what’s more, I only had three days to cover it!

More info: swarupchatterjee.com

A devotee at Kumbh Canon EOS 6D, Lens – 24-70 (2.8), [35mm, F2.8, ISO 400)

Smoking Naga – Lens – Canon 24-70 mm (2.8), SS – 1/300, ISO – 400, f/3.5

During the procession to the Sangam Lens – Canon 24-70 mm (2.8), SS – 1/600, ISO – 200, f/4

During the procession to the Sangam Lens – Canon 24-70 mm (2.8), SS – 1/600, ISO – 200, f/4

Naga sadhus are devotees of Lord Shiva usually represented by the ‘trishul’ Canon EOS 6D, Lens – 24-70 (2.8), [35mm, F2.8, ISO 200]

Tongue out – Emotions are strong at the Kumbh. In an interesting gesture, here we see a devotee, pushing his tongue out. It was red as he was chewing betel leaves – a common natural mouth freshener in this part of the world. Canon EOS 6D, Lens – 24-70 (2.8), [35mm, F2.8, ISO 200

Portrait of a devotee – Kumbh Canon EOS 6D, Lens – 24-70 (2.8), [35mm, F2.8, ISO 200

Portrait of a devotee – Kumbh Canon EOS 6D, Lens – 24-70 (2.8), [35mm, F2.8, ISO 200

The holy bath -A moment of joy as devotees are thrilled after taking the holy bath at Sangam. Canon EOS 6D, Lens – 70-200 mm (2.8), [150mm, F2.8, ISO 200)

Cloth drying – During the holi Kumbh, people come from different parts of India and settle down on the banks of the Sangam. Every morning they wash their clothes in the river and hang them across to dry. So many people standing and drying their clothes in the early morning breeze creates lovely frames for the photographers. Canon 24-70 mm (2.8), SS – 1/300, ISO – 200, f/3.5

Near the Sangam – crossing a pontoon on the Ganges – Canon 24-70 mm (2.8), SS – 1/500, ISO – 100, f/3.5

The Kumbh fair ground at night – 1/15, ISO – 4000, f/2.8, 24mm, Canon 24-70 (2.8)

Near the Sangam – from the Shastri bridge that provides you a lovely top down view of the Sangam – Canon 24-70 mm (2.8), SS – 1/500, ISO – 100, f/3.5

Young Lady – As I was shooting around (Please refer point 2), I saw this beautiful lady with her lovely eyes. I requested her whether I can photograph her and she obliged. Canon 24-70 mm (2.8), SS – 1/300, ISO – 200, f/2.8

A make shift idol of Lord Shiva inside the Juna Akhara – one of the oldest akharas inside the fair ground. Canon EOS 6D, Lens – 24-70 (2.8), [35mm, F2.8, ISO 200

Kumbh is so much beyond naga sadhus. As I moved around the Sangam one chilly morning, the banks of the river were filled with a number of devotees who had settled there. I saw this lovely little girl wrapped in a rug looking at the early morning sun. The ambient light on her face made her glow. Canon 24-70 mm (2.8), SS – 300, ISO – 200, f/2.8

The pontoons across the Sangam especially when the devotees cross the Ganga are quite a spectacle especially during the sunrise and the sunset when the light is decent for shooting. The view is best from the Shastri bridge that provides this view. I remember that I had to walk about 5 miles from my tent to reach the perfect spot to get this frame. Lens – Canon 24-70 mm (2.8), SS – 1/250, ISO – 1200, f/4.0

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