Faith and filth

Published on:

15 Jan 2013, 1:59 pm

<p>As many as 8.5 million people bathed at the Sangam in Allahabad on Makar Sankranti day on January 14, which marked the beginning of the 55 day Kumbh festival. Unofficial estimates put the number of devotees who offered prayers at the ghats at over 10 million</p><br /><p><br /><br /><strong>Photographs by:</strong> Avikal Somvanshi</p><br />

As many as 8.5 million people bathed at the Sangam in Allahabad on Makar Sankranti day on January 14, which marked the beginning of the 55 day Kumbh festival. Unofficial estimates put the number of devotees who offered prayers at the ghats at over 10 million

Photographs by: Avikal Somvanshi

What the teeming crowds left behind after washing off their sins

Photographs by: Avikal Somvanshi

Sadhus and common people thronged the ghats throughout the day

Photographs by: Meeta Ahlawat

Boats wallow in the muck left behind

Photographs by: Avikal Somvanshi

Not wishing to be left behind, residents of the host city also joined the crowds

Photographs by: Meeta Ahlawat

As the sun set, artificial lights hid much of the filth from sight, though not the stench

Photographs by: Meeta Ahlawat

The safai karamcharis on duty proved insufficient at the end of the day

Photographs by: Meeta Ahlawat

Prayer for salvation

Photographs by: Avikal Somvanshi

Awaiting another sunrise

Photographs by: Avikal Somvanshi

<p>Boatmen say there was a time when it was difficult to move the oars because of the presence of large number of migratory birds at the Kumbh. This year there were hardly any birds to be seen</p><br /><p><strong>Photographs by:</strong> Meeta Ahlawat</p><br />

Boatmen say there was a time when it was difficult to move the oars because of the presence of large number of migratory birds at the Kumbh. This year there were hardly any birds to be seen

Photographs by: Meeta Ahlawat

Makar Sankranti