Saints and Sadhus, Mahakumbh, Allahabad

Allahabad (Illahabad) or Prayag is located at a confluence of three sacred rivers-the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati. It is an important Hindu pilgrimage site and hosts the Kumbh Mela, a religious fair that is celebrated here every 12 years. Huge crowds including holy men called sadhus and wandering mendicants flock here to take a ritual dip in these sacred waters, wash away their sins and propitiate the Gods.
 
These ash smeared Aghori sadhus consider themselves worshippers of the Hindu God, Shiva. They are known for their uncommon rituals and practices that challenge our ideas of attachment, worldliness and mortality.