Hijra Leader Laxmi Narayan Tripathi Blessing Young Male Devotee, Hijra Akhara, Ujjain Kumbh Mela 2016

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Kumbh Mela is the sacred holy pilgrimage in Hinduism. In 2016, Kumbh Mela took place in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India on the banks of Shipra River between April 22 and May 21. The Ujjain Kumbh Mela is held when the sun is in the zodiac sign Aries (Mesha) and Jupiter in the zodiac sign Leo (Simha), which happens only once every twelve years. 50 million devotees participated in the Mela, during which they took a holy dip in Shipra River, notably during Shahi Snaan (Royal Holy Dip) of April 22, 2016 on which this picture was shot. Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv is celebrated by various Akharas. They undertake processions. The heads of Akharas join the procession on silver thrones (Simhasanam) on elephants. The procession includes armed Sadhus on horses and camels followed by Sadhus, hermits and devotees. Peshwai completes at the Ram Ghat area on the banks of river Kshipra.

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Size: 7360px × 4912px
Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India, Asia
Photo credit: © François-Olivier Dommergues / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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