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Pilgrims Bathe in Sacred Rivers

Images of large groups of devotees bathing and performing rituals in various sacred rivers across India, showcasing vibrant colors and a spiritual atmosphere.

Asia, India, Varanasi Region. Kumbha Mela, holy bath in the Ganges River (Editorial Usage Only)

Bengalese celebrating Kartik Purnima Full Moon at Babu Ghat Kolkata West Bengal India Copyright: xDinodiaxPhotox

Chatt is the holiest Hindu festival of people in Bihar and Jharkh and the state in India and extends to four days. During the thanksgiving celebrations of Chatt Puja, people gather on the banks of the River Ganges to bathe in its sacred water, pray and make ritual offerings to the Sun God. In Hinduism, sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders. Chatt Puja is a highly elaborate festival noted for its impressive display of colorful costumes, music, singing and extravagant rituals. Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Nepal, Kathmandu Valley, Pashupatinath, Hindu temple, people,

Two sadhus sitting at the ghats of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Hindus at the ghats, praying prior to immersing in the waters of the holy River Ganges, Varanasi (Benares), India

Devotees bathing the sacred tank Pushkarini at Tirumalai, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Believers performing ritual purifications on the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi, Benares, Uttar Pradesh, India, South Asia, Asia

India, Varanasi young boy in pink and yellow robes holds up an offering to the Ganges River

Hindu woman praying in the Yamuna River, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Boat Race Festivals, Snake Boat Race, Peyipad jalostavam for Haripad Subramanya Temple, payipad, Kerala, india Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

Pontoon bridges across the Ganges during Kumbh Mela, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Fishermen boat passing next to a banana tree instralled for upcoming Chhath Puja festival, in the Brahmaputra river, in Guwahati on Thursday, 27 October 2022

Manikarnika Ghat, cremation area, on the Ganges River, Varanasi, formerly Benares, Uttar Pradesh, India

India, Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad. Temporary pontoon bridges across the River Ganges help ease the massive flow of Hindu pilgrims attending the celebrated Kumbh Mela festival held here every twelve years.

Indian Hindu men and women bathing and praying in the River Ganges by Kshameshwar Ghat in holy city of Varanasi, India

Sadhu praying at triveni sangam, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia India Copyright: xRajeshxVora/DinodiaxPhotox

Kumbh Mela 2025: The Sacred Goes Viral. Pilgrims and Sadhus Crossing the Floating Bridges Together. Pilgrims and Sadhus Walking Across the Floating Bridges at the Kumbh Mela. At the Kumbh Mela, pilgrims and sadhus move in unison across the floating bridges that span the sacred river. As they cross, the bridge becomes a symbolic pathway for both physical and spiritual journeys. The sadhus, with their ascetic lifestyle and spiritual presence, guide and inspire the pilgrims as they pass over the holy waters of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati. The image captures the unity of different groups, each with their unique journey, yet all coming together in shared devotion. The crossing of the floating bridges represents not only a connection to the rivers spiritual power but also the collective spirit of the Kumbh Mela, where faith, humility, and community are intertwined.

Pagan, Burma

Upakarma Shravani changing of thread at Banganga, Bombay Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Copyright: xVishwasxLipte/DinodiaxPhotox

Naga sadhus bathing in the river Ganges on the occasion of 'Somvati Amavasya', a no moon day in the traditional Hindu calendar. During the Maha Kumbh Mela festival, the 'Shahi Snan' (royal bath) is considered a highly auspicious bathing day.

Two Sikh pilgrims sitting at the banks of river Ganges in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, formerly Uttaranchal, India, Asia

Crowd bathing and washing, Ashadhi Ekadashi festival at Pandarpur, Dist-Sholapur, Maharashatra, India Copyright: xShamxManchekar/DinodiaxPhotox

Pilgrims during the Allahabad Kumbh Mela, World's largest religious gathering, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Scene from the Balkumari Jatra festival celebrating the Nepalese New Year, Thimi, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia

Nepal, Kathmandu, Pashupatinath, cremation funeral

Worshippers on the banks of the Ganges during ritual ablutions in Varanasi, Benares, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Temple priest Immersing in water with Urchava deity during Vinayak Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi festival at Sri Karpaga Vinayakar Temple in Pillaiyarpatti near Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

Pilgrims queuing to bathe in the sacred Tampaksiring Spring, Pura Tirta Empul Temple, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

India: Statues of the Hindu elephant god Ganesh (also known as Ganesha, Ganpati, Ganapati, Vinayak), at Chowpatty Beach in Girgaum, Mumbai, being readied for immersion in the Arabian Sea during the Ganesh Festival (Ganpati Festival, Ganesh Chaturthi). Background: residential buildings in Walkeshwar area. The festival is mostly celebrated in Mumbai and surrounding areas of Maharashtra state. After being paraded in joyful, and often very noisy processions (noise levels of 120 decibels have been recorded), the statues are immersed in the Arabian Sea - predominantly at Chowpatty Beach in Girgaum, Mumbai - or in other bodies of water.

Nepal, Pashupatinath. Cremation Ghats.

Idol of Lord Ganesha ganpati Hindu deity being immersed in Powai lake, Bombay Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Copyright: xManoejxPaateel/DinodiaxPhotox

Pashupatinath, cremations by the Bagmathi River, a tributary of the Ganges and sacred to Nepalese Hindus. Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia.

Mauritius, People, Crowds Prepare Offerings Beside The Grand Bassin Lake During The Maha Shivaratree Festival In Honour Of The Hindu God Siva.

A pilgrim pays homage to the mother of Rivers Ganges at Varanasi, India, Asia

India, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, A pilgrim praying in the River Ganges.

On new moon day; Aadi Amavasya day lakhs of devotees made the holy dip at Agni Theertham in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia

woman dress as Hindu goddess durga, Kulasekharapatnam Beach, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia Copyright: xAkellaxSrinivas/DinodiaxPhotox

Asia, Southeast Asia, Laos, Luang Prabang, Mekong river, monks walking on a bamboo bridge

Naga sadhu jumping into the river Ganges on the occasion of 'Somvati Amavasya', a no moon day in the traditional Hindu calendar. During the Maha Kumbh Mela festival, the 'Shahi Snan' (royal bath) is considered a highly auspicious bathing day.

woman dress as Hindu goddess durga, Kulasekharapatnam Beach, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia Copyright: xAkellaxSrinivas/DinodiaxPhotox

A man is praying, standing in the holy waters of the river Godwari, Nasik, Maharashtra, India, Asia

Aranmula vallamkali or Aranmula snake boat race festival, held during Onam festival in Kerala, India, Asia

HAI DUONG, VIETNAM, SEPTEMBER, 10: Performed traditional boat on the river in folk festivals on September, 10, 2014 in Hai Duong, Vietnam

Priest on ganga river, varanasi, uttar pradesh, india, asia Copyright: xHarixMahidhar/DinodiaxPhotox

Shraddha being performed by priests and relatives of the deceased at ghat, Pashupatinath Temple, Bagmati River, Kathmandu, Nepal

KATHMANDU - APRIL 15: Cremation ceremony along the holy Bagmati River at Pashupatinath Temple complex, April 15, 2012 in Kathmandu, Nepal. This is the most sacred place to all Hindus in Nepal.

Woman offering oblation to rising sun at Yamuna, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India Copyright: xShivjixJoshi/DinodiaxPhotox

Burning or Cremation Ghats, Varanasi formerly Benares, Uttar Pradesh State, India, Asia

Sadhu, holy man, taking a bath and praying in the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati, just before sunset, Kumbha Mela mass Hindu pilgrimage, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Pashupatinath, cremations by the Bagmathi River, a tributary of the Ganges and sacred to Nepalese Hindus. Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia.

Hindu pilgrims, women in colourful saris taking a holy bath om the sea before sunrise, at the Ghat Agni Theertham, Rameswaram, Pamban Island, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia

Ganesh ganpati festival, immersion of huge idol of elephant headed god, Bombay Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Copyright: xAnilxDave/DinodiaxPhotox

temple pageant being carried threw backwater, kadavoor, kollam, kerala, india Copyright: xPxKarunakaran/DinodiaxPhotox

Women collecting drinking water from municipal tap near Saravana Poigai tank at bottom of Murugan Temple hill in Thiruttani Tiruttani Tirutani, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

thread ceremony , banganga , bombay mumbai , maharashtra , india

priest is performing ceremonial adoration on Varanasi Ghat Uttar Pradesh India Copyright: xSarveshxJoshi/DinodiaxPhotox

The eldest son lighting the fire as part of a cremation ceremony, Vrindavan, India, Asia

People performing ritual activities on a busy riverbank, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Crowds of people gathering at Kumbha Mela grounds, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Pilgrims after bathing in river Thamirabarani and drying their saris near Tiruchendur during Vaikasi Visakam festival at Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

Kumbh Mela 2025: The Sacred Goes Viral. Sacred Rituals in the Digital Age. Faith and Connectivity: The Maha Kumbh Mela in the Era of Social Media. As pilgrims immerse themselves in the sacred waters of the Ganges during the Maha Kumbh Mela, spirituality meets modernity. Once an intimate and ritualistic moment, the sacred bath now intertwines with the digital world, with devotees capturing and sharing their experience on social media. Technological evolution is redefining how faith is practiced and narrated, transforming ancient traditions into globally connected events.

Morning Ganga aarti, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India Copyright: xShivjixJoshi/DinodiaxPhotox

KATHMANDU - APRIL 15: Cremation ceremony along the holy Bagmati River at Pashupatinath Temple complex, April 15, 2012 in Kathmandu, Nepal. This is the most sacred place to all Hindus in Nepal.

India, Punjab, Amritsar. Mother helping child enter holy tank at Golden Temple.

India, Varanasi, Dasaswamedh Ghat, ´priest´ prays by Ganges in morning with ´puja´ paraphenalia on mat

Prayer offerings for the Ganges River, Varanasi, India

Golden Nandi bull image on the bank of the Ganges River; Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Performing shradha memorial ceremony for dead relatives at Agnitirtha shore at Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, India Copyright: xAshaxAdatia/DinodiaxPhotox

Ganga aarti at sunrise, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India Copyright: xShivjixJoshi/DinodiaxPhotox

Cremation place, Ghats, of Pashupatinath at the holy Bagmati river, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

kashi karvat temple on Scindia Ghat at varanasi uttar pradesh India Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

Pashupatinath, cremations by the Bagmathi River, a tributary of the Ganges and sacred to Nepalese Hindus. Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia.

Voodoo worshippers participate in the Saut D'eau Voodoo festival in Haiti.

Indian Hindu couple bathing and praying in the River Ganges by Kshameshwar Ghat in holy city of Varanasi, India

Hindus unter der Autobahnbruecke der A2 am und im Datteln-Hamm-Kanal bei der rituellen Reinigung, Deutschland, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Ruhrgebiet, Hamm Hindus under the highway bridge of A2 at and in the Datteln-Hamm Canal during ritual purification, Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr Area, Hamm BLWS717611 *** Hindus at the Autobahnbruecke the A2 on and at Dates Hamm Channel at the rituals Cleaning, Germany, North Rhine Westphalia, Ruhr area, Hamm Hindus Under The Highway Bridge of A2 AT and in The Dates Hamm Canal during Ritual purification, Germany, North Rhine Westphalia, Ruhr Area, Hamm BLWS717611 Copyright: xblickwinkel/S.xZiesex

Bengalese celebrating Kartik Purnima Full Moon at Babu Ghat Kolkata West Bengal India

Ganesh idol, Dumas beach, Surat, Gujarat, India, Asia India Copyright: xAjitxParekh/DinodiaxPhotox

Women Drying Saree in Kumbh Mela Festival at uttar pradesh India Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

Vietnam, Hue. Traditional placement of lighted lanterns in the river as part of the celebration of New Year. Performed by two women in traditional Ao Dai dress. (MR)

Islamic women, Mumbai, India

India, Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad, Kumbh Mela, after the storm

Hanuman mandir temple, Nasik, maharashtra, india, asia Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

A sadhu at bank of Ganga river, Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh, India Copyright: xShivjixJoshi/DinodiaxPhotox

Rocks painted with prayer words and prayer flags in the river, Tagong, western Sichuan, China

Nuns, Sanglaburi, Thailand, Asia

Children praying with mom

Water Festival, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Man made Orange colored Lotus surrounding the Mahadev Mandir in Masunda Lake and Saint John The Baptist Church during Thane Festival ;Thane ; Maharashtra ; India