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I had the privilege of attending, witnessing and photographing the Kumbh in Prayagraj India at the beginning of February and it was one of my most influential events in my life. The utmost devotion, such strong beliefs of both the pilgrims that flock to this holy site and the holy men which lead so many in chants and religious hymns.
These images are just a few that I have captured to document this amazing congregation of people from all over the world. On one bathing day, Feb 4th, it is estimated there were 30 million people attending the event.
I've never experienced anything like this. One of the highlights of my life...something I'll always remember and cherish.
This first set are of the holy spiritual leaders. Many were naked, relinquishing anything material in this world. Smoked hash to enlighten their souls. I had the privilege to spend a night with one of the spiritual leaders ( Sadhu ) and his devotees.
This next set of images shows the devotion of the pilgrims that have traveled many days to attend the event with the bathing and prayers at the Ganges.
Pilgrims that traveled many days and many miles lived in tight quarters made of make shift tents and even sleeping out in the elements. All were very friendly and of high spirits.
These are remarkable for allowing us to be there with you. I was sensing a good spirit in the people and sincerity in their eyes. The most fresh and direct portraits I’ve seen in a long time. No pretense or over-processing gimmicks. Wonderful!
ps: in addition I would like to see some pics of the wider environment to get a sense of place. Also can you tell me about the men with deeply colored robes and bowls? Who are they?
I especially like the pics in the water, the lady cooking and other with bundle onnhead.
You as photographer are welcomed into this pilgrimage - clearly in their expressions. I see acceptance and dignity. Bravo!
Idea to add a caption for each pic so that we can know
More about each one. Some things may be obvious to you but not your audience eg to me in Texas.
I really want to attend one of these large religious pilgrimages in India in the next couple of years.
Can you tell us what cameras / lenses you used in the main (there's no EXIF) ? Some look to be taken very close, others telephoto. Did you use flash and how was that accepted ?
How did the people react to your photographing them ?
Where did you sleep ? Eat ? Toilet facilities with so many people ?
Frogfish wrote:
I really want to attend one of these large religious pilgrimages in India in the next couple of years.
You have to wait for another 6 years for a similar gathering(unless you hurry now before it ends). The Kumbh happens every 12 years. This year it is the half version.
Truly excellent portraits. Congratulations on this fine work. A perfect strategy to omit pictures of the wider environment in order to more completely communicate the the intensity of the experience for the individual participants.
Consider placing these remarkable portraits on your website and doing an exhibition of prints. You are in BC — perhaps find a gallery or do it affordably at a cultural/community center, library, or even an independent coffee shop! Also while the experience is fresh in your mind, please write down the experiences by journaling. The writing will be a personal reminder to be treasured over time. That text can also become the manuscript for a book. Approach a university press for publishing — they will handle everything at no cost to you. That’s what I do — working on my third book and love the process, book signings, events, gallery opening and selling work. You can do a book!!!
They are always leery of new authors but keep trying. My first prospectus
Was rejected then revised and accepted by the same university press. Also you can send prospectus to university press in the States. Note: only apply to ONE university press at a time. Therefore choose a U Press that publishes work like yours. Cultural. Religion. For example, my press does not publish poetry or cookbooks. All presses state their areas of specialty; heed that. Your journal of experiences can become the text to the book. Captions simply answer “what am seeing?” asked by the reader who wasn’t there.
I can’t wait to hear more about spending the night with the holy man and his devotees. I don’t think I would be able to sleep. I’m dying to hear about that! Did he say anything? You were so embraced by your subjects it’s truly remarkable.
They are always leery of new authors but keep trying. My first prospectus
Was rejected then revised and accepted by the same university press. Also you can send prospectus to university press in the States. Note: only apply to ONE university press at a time. Therefore choose a U Press that publishes work like yours. Cultural. Religion. For example, my press does not publish poetry or cookbooks. All presses state their areas of specialty; heed that. Your journal of experiences can become the text to the book. Captions simply answer “what am seeing?” asked by the reader who wasn’t there.
I can’t wait to hear more about spending the night with the holy man and his devotees. I don’t think I would be able to sleep. I’m dying to hear about that! Did he say anything? You were so embraced by your subjects it’s truly remarkable.
Excellent advice here, but I don't think UBC Press is a good choice for this work, at least as a first choice. I think you would have more luck at Wilfred Laurier Press or Athabasca University Press if you stay within Canada.
I really want to attend one of these large religious pilgrimages in India in the next couple of years.
Can you tell us what cameras / lenses you used in the main (there's no EXIF) ? Some look to be taken very close, others telephoto. Did you use flash and how was that accepted ?
How did the people react to your photographing them ?
Where did you sleep ? Eat ? Toilet facilities with so many people ?
Security (for cameras & lenses) ?
Cheers !
Kevin
Kevin, hope I can answer all your questions. Yes, definitely I'd put it onto your bucket list. The Kumbh rotate cities ( I believe 4 different cities host the event ) and you won't have to wait for another 6 years as another city will host the event in a couple years.
I used two cameras and two lenses to photograph the event. I had an A7R2 with a Batis 85 lens and an A7R with the Sony 35 2.8 lens. I used a PD clip on my belt to hold the camera I was not using and used wrist straps on the cameras during shooting. I did have the Batis 25 with me, but found it was too wide and included too many unnecessary things into the photos. I used the Batis quite a bit in Varanasi in the old narrow alley ways.
No flash, all natural light. Lucked out in that there was a hazy fog all day long so it helped tame any harsh shadows.
The people were very accommodating when I approached them. I always had a smile on my face, was very friendly and in no way did I try to "sneak" a shot. Was very open about my intentions...and basically everyone was OK being photographed.
Many times I'd be asked to enter their camp where more of the elders and children posed for photos. Amazingly trusting and open people.
The photos in the water of people praying were done during the early morning of the bathing day. It seemed many of the people were in a trance, totally oblivious to me and others around them. Their devotion to their religious beliefs was amazing. That water was freezing cold. I was in it for about 1.5 hours...teeth chattering by the end. Three photographers had their cameras dunked into the water, making them useless. At places it was waist high.
I stayed in a tented community about 7 km out from the venue. Had to walk that 7km every day as all roads around the event were closed to accommodate the millions of pilgrims walking to the event. The tents resembled a huge MASH outfit complete with a mess tent. Actually they were very comfortable.
There were bathroom facilities all over the event site and tap water. I always brought my own bottled water with me. I did not eat at the event site...did not really see any food to purchase but I'm sure there was. I ate breakfast and dinner at my tented community.
As far as security goes...not once did I feel like I needed to hide my gear or better secure it. The people were there for religious purposes and I always felt very safe everywhere...even during the evenings.
Kevin, I know you love to travel and photograph and I can highly recommend going to one of the Kumbh and experience everything there is. I spent 4 days at the Kumbh which is probably enough...but you can spend weeks here and photograph all day long and not get tired.
The one thing you need to do is get your mind set on a lot of people. There were times I got caught up in a flow of people and felt like a leaf on the water flowing where ever the creek takes me.
pchaplo wrote:
These are remarkable for allowing us to be there with you. I was sensing a good spirit in the people and sincerity in their eyes. The most fresh and direct portraits I’ve seen in a long time. No pretense or over-processing gimmicks. Wonderful!
ps: in addition I would like to see some pics of the wider environment to get a sense of place. Also can you tell me about the men with deeply colored robes and bowls? Who are they?
I especially like the pics in the water, the lady cooking and other with bundle onnhead.
You as photographer are welcomed into this pilgrimage - clearly in their expressions. I see acceptance and dignity. Bravo!
Idea to add a caption for each pic so that we can know
More about each one. Some things may be obvious to you but not your audience eg to me in Texas. ...Show more →
Paul, thanks for you kind words. I very much felt accepted into the pilgrimage...in fact there were multiple occasions where I was asked back into their private accommodations ( makeshift tents ) to further photograph their lives.
I don't have many photos which show the wider environments, but will dig some up to give you a feel. There were so many people everywhere, it was hard to get any photos of the place without having 10 heads in the way. There were drones (I believe the military was using them to keep an eye on things ) which would have made for some awesome images.
I'll see if I can edit the posted images with a descriptive caption.
genji wrote:
Truly excellent portraits. Congratulations on this fine work. A perfect strategy to omit pictures of the wider environment in order to more completely communicate the the intensity of the experience for the individual participants.
My goal for documenting this pilgrimage was to show the different people that attend such an event so I focused on isolating individuals and their expressions. I loved interacting with the different people...wish it was such in our busy North American cities.
pchaplo wrote:
Consider placing these remarkable portraits on your website and doing an exhibition of prints. You are in BC — perhaps find a gallery or do it affordably at a cultural/community center, library, or even an independent coffee shop! Also while the experience is fresh in your mind, please write down the experiences by journaling. The writing will be a personal reminder to be treasured over time. That text can also become the manuscript for a book. Approach a university press for publishing — they will handle everything at no cost to you. That’s what I do — working on my third book and love the process, book signings, events, gallery opening and selling work. You can do a book!!!...Show more →
I'm not one to put my experiences and thoughts to words...so a written book is not in the future. I do create a coffee table book from all my travels...this is something I will definitely do with this experience.
