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Carnival Of Life at the River Ganges

The Ganges River in India is the most sacred river to Hindus in the country. It is believed that during an epic battle between gods and demons over a nectar of immortality, a few drops fell into the Ganges at various spots, attracting millions of pilgrims to its river banks for a sacred bath. The single, largest pilgrimage happened between January and February of 2013. During the 55-day long Maha Kumbh Mela, an estimated 200+Million devotees made their way to the river banks at Allahabad, with 30+Million of them on the holiest day, the 10th of February, alone. What unfolded was an epic human experience and an extraordinary carnival of life.

While these photographs show the Maha Kumbh Mela – the pilgrims, the preachers, and the peddlers, all of whom made the long life journey to the Sangam banks in search of their own piece of the River Ganges dream – they are also as much about my own journey as a mortal. Am I a pilgrim, preacher or peddler? Where, what is my life’s dream I have so longed?

Photographs taken from the banks of the River Ganges at Allahabad and Varanasi.

Photographer: Kevin WY Lee
Website: www.kevinwylee.com

All Photographs shot with Sony Cyber-shot RX1. Big Thanks to SONY APAC for loaning us the cameras.

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