Naked, ash-smeared Hindu ascetics take holy dips at the Maha Kumbh festival

Naked Hindu ascetics and pilgrims participate in the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, bathing in the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers to cleanse sins and break the cycle of rebirth. The festival, held every 12 years, attracts millions of participants who engage in rituals and ceremonies led by Hindu ascetics, with a tent city, security personnel, and religious orders supporting the event. The Kumbh rotates among four pilgrimage sites, with this year’s festival in Prayagraj being the largest and most elaborate, drawing visitors from around the world.

Full Article