Saturday 29 August 2015

AP PHOTOS: Hindu holy men lead bath rituals in Indian river

Naked Hindu holy men wait to bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.
Naked Hindu holy men wait to bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.  

Naked Hindu holy men prepare to bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.
Naked Hindu holy men prepare to bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.  
A naked Hindu holy man arrives to bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.
A naked Hindu holy man arrives to bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.  
A Hindu holy woman bathes in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.
A Hindu holy woman bathes in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.   
Naked Hindu holy men wait to bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.
Naked Hindu holy men wait to bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.   
Naked Hindu holy men prepare to bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.
Naked Hindu holy men prepare to bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, at Trimbakeshwar in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival, will cleanse them of their sins. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.  
An Indian Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, takes a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.
An Indian Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, takes a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.  
Indian Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.
Indian Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.    
An Indian Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, wears a wooden bead in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins. Millions of people, most of them devout Hindus from India and across the world and some curious tourists, gather at the Kumbh celebrations spread over several weeks/months.
An Indian Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, wears a wooden bead in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins. Millions of people, most of them devout Hindus from India and across the world and some curious tourists, gather at the Kumbh celebrations spread over several weeks/months.   
Indian Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, surround their guru, center, during a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival in Nashik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.
Indian Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, surround their guru, center, during a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival in Nashik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.  
Indian Sadhus, or Hindu holy men bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival in Nashik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.
Indian Sadhus, or Hindu holy men bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival in Nashik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.  
Hindu devotees take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Millions of people, most of them devout Hindus from India and across the world and some curious tourists, gather at the Kumbh celebrations spread over several weeks/months.
Hindu devotees take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Millions of people, most of them devout Hindus from India and across the world and some curious tourists, gather at the Kumbh celebrations spread over several weeks/months.  
An Hindu devotee prior taking a bath the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.
An Hindu devotee prior taking a bath the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.
Hindu devotes take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.
Hindu devotes take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.  
Indian Sadhus, or Hindu holy man, take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. Bathing in sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh festival, believers say rids them of their sins.
Indian Sadhus, or Hindu holy man, take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. Bathing in sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh festival, believers say rids them of their sins.   
Hindu devotees take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.
Hindu devotees take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins. 
Hindu devotees take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.
Hindu devotees take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.  
An Indian Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, rubs ash on his face after a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.
An Indian Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, rubs ash on his face after a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.   
An Indian Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, rubs ash on his hair after a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.
An Indian Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, rubs ash on his hair after a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.  
An Indian Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, right, dries his hair after a bath as others take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nashik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.
An Indian Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, right, dries his hair after a bath as others take a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nashik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins.  
Hindu devotees dress after taking a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.
Hindu devotees dress after taking a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.   
Hindu devotees dress after taking a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.
Hindu devotees dress after taking a bath in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.   
Hindu devotees roam around the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.
Hindu devotees roam around the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.   
Hindu devotees roam around the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.
Hindu devotees roam around the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality. As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns- Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.
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