Holy waters, sacred ash
Hundreds of thousands of Hindu faithful including ash-smeared holy men gather in the Indian city of Nashik on the banks of the Godavari River, as devotees from all walks of life bathe in the holy waters.
Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, is celebrated in four different Indian cities over a period of 12 years. This time round pilgrims congregate in Nashik, in the western state of Maharashtra.
A Naga sadhu, or a Hindu holy man, applies ash before a procession.
Hindu holy men wait inside their camp before a procession.
A Naga Sadhu arrives at his makeshift tent outside a temple.
Sadhus sit on a chariot.
Holy men arrive at a camp before a procession.
Devotees wait for the start of a procession.
Musicians rest as they wait to take part in a parade.
A devotee, dressed as the Hindu deity Shiva, waits to participate in a parade.
A Hindu holy men pray on the banks of the Godavari River.
Sadhus are controlled by police as they arrive to take a dip in the Godavari River.
Hindu devotees pray on the banks of the Godavari.
A boy cries as he is placed in the Godavari River by his relatives.
A Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, gets out of the Godavari River after taking a dip during the first "Shahi Snan" (grand bath).
Devotees stand near an idol of the Hindu elephant god Ganesha.
A Hindu devotee leaves after taking a dip in the waters of the Godavari.
Hindu devotees pray.
Sadhus, or Hindu holy men, give blessings to devotees during the second "Shahi Snan" (grand bath).
