Le Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world. A tragedy has just struck the last one. Causing dozens of deaths. The photographer David Katzenstein sent us the portfolio that he made on this pilgrimage.
In light of the tragic deaths that occurred recently at the Maha Kumbh Mela, I wanted to share a collection of work that I created at the last Kumbh Mela in 2019. At events where so many people attend in large groups there is always a concern about stampedes. On my visit in 2019 I had a guide with me at all times, with the main purpose of scanning the immediate surroundings and pulling me away whenever there was a possibility of a stampede (fortunately he only had to quickly remove me once from the crowd, and that ended peacefully).
For those not used to large crowds it is difficult to imagine the immense breadth of humanity that gathers at the Kumbh Mela. This year, over the six weeks of gatherings, it is expected that 400 Million pilgrims attended.
The sacred confluence of the Kumbh Mela celebrates the devotion of the multitudes through vedic mantras and religious hymns, proclamations of knowledge, truths, music, and tributes to the greatness of the sacred pitcher filled with the nectar of immortality marking the highest of all pilgrimages for the Hindu religion. Every 12 years millions gather at different sites in India to celebrate the mythological, astrological, social, and ritualistic aspects of their faith. 2019 marked the largest Mela to date, drawing over 150 million devotees to the Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) between January and March 2019. Individuals and families travel thousands of miles to partake in joyous celebration. The subject of international scholarship, the ritualistic pilgrimage has come to symbolize ministry and power as it provides a forum for both individual and collective expressions of faith as pilgrims, religious teachers, and followers of monastic orders converge along the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers
David Katzenstein
www.davidkatzenstein.com
