Prayag Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela, widely regarded as the largest gathering of pilgrims in the world, is a very important event for Hinduism. Held in at four different areas, a great number of Hindus arrive at the fair to bathe in the holy rivers, a ritual meant to cleans them of sin and bring purity to their lives. The Kumbh Mela is held every three years in a rotation between Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik, and Ujjain, thus occurring once every twelve years at each destination. The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad is held at Prayaga, the site of the convergence of the three holy rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarasvati, known as Triveni Sangam. Ardh Kumbh Melas are organised every six years at Haridwar and Allahabad.

During the fair, the temples of the area are fully lit up and decorated in honour of the sacred celebration. Spread across 55 days, the glorious Kumbh Mela involves the sacred tradition of bathing at the Triveni Sangam, accompanied by devotional singing, religious discussion, and mass feeding of the poor and the holy. This fair is also primarily attended to view the various religious and traditional aspects of the different sects of Hinduism. Many sadhus and saints of Hinduism are present here, some of whom are only visible to the public during this auspicious event. Devout sects like the Naga Sadhus, who never wear any clothes and are always smeared in ash; Urdhwavahurs, non-indulgent in physical pleasures; Parivajakas, having taken a vow of silence; Kalpawasis, who bathe three times a day, and Shirshasins, who stand for all 24 hours and meditate, transform the location to a truly holly affair, resembling a land from another realm.The respectful observation of the religious diversity is known as 'Darshan', considered an essential ritual of this festival.