Holy Bath 01

At dawn of Mauni Amavasya in Kumbh festival thousands of Sadhus (holy men) gather for Shahi Snana (holy bath) at Sangam, where the river Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati Rivers meet near the town of Allahabad in India. Mauni Amavasya is the ‘New Moon of the Saints’ when Sun, Moon, Venus and Mercury are in the zodiac of Capricorn, a rare but perfect alignment of planets. It is the main bathing day for the saints where they participate in naked processions. As per Hindu believe holy dip in sacred rivers on the most auspicious day takes human out of the circle of life and death and one attains Moksha (eternal emancipation). On this day new members to various holy orders receive their first initiation. It is thought to be the largest gathering of humanity on the planet, occurs after every twelve years cycle where more than 18 million devotees have bathed in the river Ganges.