Traditional Rituals by Water

Crowds in traditional attire gather by riversides, performing religious rites and cultural ceremonies, creating a vibrant and immersive atmosphere.

India, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi. People bathing, praying and making offerings along the holy Ganges River. (Editorial Use Only)

People in traditional dress perform religious rites in river water near stone steps, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

A vibrant gathering by the water's edge at a cultural ceremony.

Bathing in Kapila, Kabini, Kabbani River during Hindu festival, Nanjangud, Karnataka, South India, India, South Asia, Asia

India, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi. People bathing, praying and making offerings along the holy Ganges River. (Editorial Use Only)

Mauritius, People, Crowds Making Offerings Of Flowers And Fruit In The Grand Bassin Lake During The Maha Shivaratree Festival In Honour Of The Hindu God Siva.

Pilgrims washing away sins by doing ritual washings in the water of the holy Ganges, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

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

People bathing in holy water of Tansa River on occasion of Tripuri Poornima at Vajreshwari Thane district Maharashtra India Asia Copyright: xManojxNavalkar/DinodiaxPhotox

Praying and taking to the holy waters at Dashashwamedh Ghat the most famous and central bathing ghat. The culture of Varanasi is closely associated wi...

Three monks in traditional orange robes paddling a wooden canoe on tranquil waters at sunrise.

Hindu pilgrims taking morning bath on the bank of the Ganges River; Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Pilgrims taking holy dip in kshipra river, ujjain, madhya pradesh, india, asia Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

priest bathing in river kumbh mela at uttar pradesh India Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

Indian Hindu pilgrims bathing in The Ganges River at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Holy City of Varanasi, Benares, India

India, Orissa, Rananpur, Danda yatra rite

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

Indian people ritually washing themselves in the Betwa river, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, North India, India, Asia

ghat rituals,Varanasi (Benares), in holy river Ganges, India

Morning puja or worship in the Ganges River, Varanasi, formerly Benares, Uttar Pradesh, India

A dead body in Ganges, Varanasi, India.

Devotees bathing in river, Nasik, maharashtra, india, asia Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

Kumbh Mela, Nasik, Maharashtra, India

Worshippers at the Ramkund tank on the ghats along the holy River Godavari, Nasik (Nashik), Maharashtra, India, Asia

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

Living beside the river, church festival, canal, Haripad, Alappuzha, Alleppey, Kerala, India, Asia

Devotees taking holy dip, Har Ki Pauri literally means Footsteps of the Lord is considered the most sacred Ghat of Haridwar on the banks of river Ganga, Uttaranchal, India Copyright: xManoejxPaateel/DinodiaxPhotox

Buddhist monks in boat cruise on River Ganges at Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

India, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi. People bathing, praying and making offerings along the holy Ganges River. (Editorial Use Only)

Meditation at Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh, India Copyright: xShivjixJoshi/DinodiaxPhotox

The horizon community devotees observe the rituals of the Chhath Puja or Surjjo (sun) Puja with food on the bank of Surma River. Devotees believe it gives the divine blessing to the native once the puja is completed. Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Devotees of the Harijan community in Sylhet perform the Chhath Puja, or Surya Puja ritual, by standing halfway submerged in the water of the Surma River with offerings of food. Harijan devotees believe that, when the puja is completed, it bestows divine blessings on the community. Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Uttar Pradesh State, India, Asia.

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

Women taking a bath in the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati, in the early morning, Kumbha Mela mass Hindu pilgrimage, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Hindu dedication ceremony to the god Shiva. Grand Bassin. Mauritius

India, Varanasi, Dasaswamedh Ghat, pilgrims doing 'Panchatirthi Yatra' or pilgrimage.

Devotee making an offering on the Ganges; Varanasi, India

Pilgrims or devotees gather at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers to take a holy dip during the Ardh Kumbh Mela, one of the world s largest religious festivals at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India Copyright: xAkellaxSrinivas/DinodiaxPhotox

Hindus during the Hindu Chhath festival, New Delhi, New Dehli, New Delhi, Chhath festival, Hindu festival Hindus during the Chhath festival, India, Hindu festival, India, Asia

kumbh fair, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2000 Copyright: xDinodiaxPhotox

India, Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad, Prayag,Hardt Kumbh Mela, Holy Festival,Hindu religion, Dawn Holy bath

Devotees taking holy dip, Har Ki Pauri literally means Footsteps of the Lord is considered the most sacred Ghat of Haridwar on the banks of river Ganga, Uttaranchal, India Copyright: xManoejxPaateel/DinodiaxPhotox

India: Hindu women with sacrificial offerings to the sun god Surya standing in Banganga Tank, Walkeshwar Temple, Mumbai, during the Chhath Puja festival celebrations. Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival historically native to Nepalis and Biharis of the Indian subcontinent, more specifically, the Indian state of Bihar along with West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and the southern parts of Nepal. It is also celebrated in major urban centers like Delhi where a large diaspora or migrant population exists. Hundreds of thousands of people celebrate it in Mumbai.

Pilgrims taking holy dip in kshipra river, ujjain, madhya pradesh, india, asia Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

Devotee making an offering on the Ganges; Varanasi, India

praying to Mother Ganges prior to the Arti at Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

People bathing in holy water of Tansa River on occasion of Tripuri Poornima at Vajreshwari Thane district Maharashtra India Asia Copyright: xManojxNavalkar/DinodiaxPhotox

A family and a pandit or priest are performing Dashkriya or Asthi Visarjan, a ritual which is performed 10 days after the death of a family member, Nasik, Maharashtra, India, Asia

Worshippers on the banks of the Ganges, Ganges, Varanasi, Benares, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Woman's ablutions in the river India

INDIA UTTARAKHAND HARIDWAR GANGES RIVER Hindi Pilgrim take a Bath in the Ganges River in the city of Haridwar in the Province Uttarakhand in India. India, Haridwar, February, 1998 Copyright: xZoonar.com/URSx 21891653

Immerse the idols of Lord Ganesh Pune Maharashtra India Asia Sept 2011 Copyright: xSunilxKapadia/DinodiaxPhotox

Pilgrim women in Pushkar, India.

Hindu pilgrims bathing in the early morning in the holy river Ganges Ganga along Dasaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi Benares, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Asia

Tej festival, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India Copyright: xDxKanani/DinodiaxPhotox

Buddhist monks at sunrise on the Hindu Ghats on the banks of the River Ganges in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, northern India. The Ganges is sacred in both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Hindus bathing in the early morning in the holy river Ganges Ganga along Dasswamedh Ghat, Varanasi Benares, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Asia

devotee bathing in ganga river in kumbh mela at uttar pradesh India Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

India: Hindu men and women with sacrificial offerings to the sun god Surya standing in Banganga Tank, Walkeshwar Temple, Mumbai, during the Chhath Puja festival celebrations. Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival historically native to Nepalis and Biharis of the Indian subcontinent, more specifically, the Indian state of Bihar along with West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and the southern parts of Nepal. It is also celebrated in major urban centers like Delhi where a large diaspora or migrant population exists. Hundreds of thousands of people celebrate it in Mumbai.

Women in saris on the banks of the Ganges Haridwar India

Woman washing her sari in the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati, Kumbha Mela mass Hindu pilgrimage, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

People to pay obeisance; worship to their forefathers at Agni Theertham at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia

earthen lamps to celebrate Dev Deepavali on Ganga River at Varanasi Uttar Pradesh India Copyright: xAkellaxSrinivas/DinodiaxPhotox

Pilgrim bathing in the Ganges

Pilgrims or devotees gather to take boat rides during the Ardh Kumbh Mela, one of the world s largest religious festivals at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India Copyright: xAkellaxSrinivas/DinodiaxPhotox

Pilgrims bathing in river Tamiravaruni near Tiruchendur during Vaikasi, Visakam festival, Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, India Copyright: xMxAmirtham/DinodiaxPhotox

Morning puja or worship in the Ganges River, Varanasi, formerly Benares, Uttar Pradesh, India

Women release floating lanterns into the Nhu Y River under the evening sky in Central Vietnam

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

A group of people performing traditional rituals in a river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Durga immersion in sea Bombay Mumbai Maharashtra India Copyright: xDinodiaxPhotox

Vanji pattu singers; Aranmula Vallamkali festival; Snake Boat Race, on Pampa River during Onam in Aranmula, Kerala, India, Asia

Kumbh Mela 2025: The Sacred Goes Viral. Pilgrims Preparing for the Sacred Bath on the Boat. Pilgrims on the Boat Preparing for the Sacred Dip and Changing Clothes. On a boat drifting across the Ganges, pilgrims prepare for their sacred bath at the Kumbh Mela. Some are busy changing out of their wet clothes, while others pause to capture the moment with their smartphones, documenting the experience for their social media. This blend of modern technology and ancient ritual showcases the evolving nature of spiritual practices at the Kumbh. Despite the use of smartphones, the primary focus remains the sacred bath, a ritual believed to cleanse the soul. The scene reflects the harmonious coexistence of tradition and contemporary life, as pilgrims, both young and old, embrace the festival's sacred significance while engaging with the world around them.

Pilgrims taking holy dip in kshipra river, ujjain, madhya pradesh, india, asia Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

India, Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad (Prayag),Kumbh Mela holy Festival

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

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

Laxmi narayan tripathi holding goddess idol on head, madhya pradesh, india, asia Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

The Akash Deep sky lantern festival beside the Ganges River, Varanasi formerly Benares, Uttar Pradesh State, India, Asia

Worship ceremony at night by Ganges River, Varanasi, India

Ritual bathing on the ghats during the Shivaratri festival, at the Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

Worshiper of Shiva on the Ghats on the banks of the Ganges Vrnaçî

hindus thread ceremony, banganga, bombay mumbai, maharashtra, india Copyright: xRavixShekhar/DinodiaxPhotox

Indian women doing morning pooja on ghats of sacred Narmada river. Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, India. Women doing morning pooja

Man praying, Ram Devra pilgrimage, Ram Devra, Thar Desert, at Pokaran or Pokhran, Rajasthan, North India, India, Asia

the ngondo is an annual water-centered festival held by the sawa (coastal peoples

Morning Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh, India Copyright: xShivjixJoshi/DinodiaxPhotox

Hindu woman at Hindu Chhath festival, New Delhi, New Delhi, New Delhi, Chhath festival, Hindu festival, Indian woman, India, Asia

Morning puja or worship in the Ganges River, Varanasi, formerly Benares, Uttar Pradesh, India

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

Experiencing the power of Khandoba during the bathing ritual , devotees charge forward with ritual shouts making the end of the day-long festival , Jejuri , Maharashtra , India

India, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, Female pilgrims pray and make offerings at the River Ganges.

Kumbh mela, Nasik, maharashtra, india, asia Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

Brahmin or Hindu priest sitting on a blanket on the banks of the Ganges River with several boats tied to the shore, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

India, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi. People bathing, praying and making offerings along the holy Ganges River. (Editorial Use Only)

Burmese Monks on boat, Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

peoples in kumbh mela at uttar pradesh India Copyright: xArunxMishra/DinodiaxPhotox

Pilgrim performing puja in the Ganges; Varanasi, India

Hindu performing his daily devotion ritual to Ganga in Varanasi.

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

of 3