Naga Sadhus are a particular group of Shaivite saints who reside in the Himalayas and come to visit the civilization only during the Kumbh Mela to take the holy bath. This is the only event when these ascetic saints can be seen amongst the general Indian population. These saints remain completely naked even during biting cold. The Nag Babas are a warrior class and are divided like a regiment in an army. Their attributes are the trident, sword, stick, conch shells, other weapons and musical instruments which reflect their warrior status. For more pictures of Kumbha Mela: www.cynosure.dphoto.com
A little girl jumps across a small gap of water
The most remarkable facet of the Sadhu community is their sometimes excessive and non-restrained use of drugs like Marijuana. Many of them, devour these drugs since they consider them as a fundamental aspect of their religious ceremonies and practices. Sadhus claim that use of hallucinatory drugs brings them closer to God, and thus closer to salvation.
"Dhuna Puano" is an age old ritual where a mother sits with three pots, one on her head and two on her lap, with fire alighted in them. The objective of this ritual is to wish for welfare for the family and the children. Once the pots are alighted with fire by burning dry coconut shells, people throw "dhuna", a type of incense powder in them which makes the fire more fiery momentarily.
Rambha, a small picturesque travel destination on the Chilka lake in the state of Orissa, India.
The turbans of Rajasthan are the most colourful and impressive in whole of the India. The use of turbans were basically started by the Rajput community. They used to wear distinct turbans. It is said that the style of the turban changes with every 15 km you travel within the geographical boundaries of Rajasthan. In some parts of the region, the size of turban indicate the position of the person in the society they live. Each colour has its own importance and significance like Ochre is the colour of the mendicant, while the saffron is commonly worn at the time of weddings. Also, each caste have their own distinguishing colours, by which they are recognised, like shepherds wear red turbans, Bishnois, who are known as the most nomadic shepherd tribes and environmental conservationists, always wear white turbans and the other tribal communities wear printed turbans.
A Girl quenches her thirst from a temporary roadside cold water tank which are put up through the months of summer for public welfare. Kolkata reels under sweltering heat and thirst each year from the month of May through July.
A Lady in Tibetan Self Help Refugee Center in Darjeeling, devotes her time writing for her motherland Tibet.
A newly wed girl, awaits for puja ceremony at Kumbh Mela, on a day that was ravaged by heavy thunderstorms.
A cleaning lady, one of the few woman who are allowed to enter Nakhoda Masjid.
Durga Puja (worshipping of Goddess Durga), the most happening festival of the Bengalis can be sensed with its spurt of fanfare on all the four days of the Durga Puja festival. The idols are created in Kumartuli and then they are brought to the mandaps, where the Goddess is worshipped with all grandeur and age old rituals.
The vibrant Pandim valley near Lamuney camp site, mesmerizes trekkers before they make their way onto the Goecha La viewpoint. The beautiful Goecha La Trek in Sikkim. attracts many trekkers from all over the world.
The scene witnessed here is a ritual observed and practiced during "Charak" Puja in Bengal. As a part of the ritual men swing around a pole in mid-air hanging by the hooks pierced in their back. These men, who are ordinary working class people in their daily life, are treated and held in the same line with purohits or priests on this particular day and before they start their acrobatics they bless the children with good fortune and health.
Two village girls at Sonpur Mela (Fair) which is held at Bihar.
The river Ganges is one of popular spot for the citizens. Local boys plays in it, watching their jumps are favourite among evening walkers, lovers meet at the ghats and the open space & cool breeze gives a sense of freedom and relief.