Hindu holy men of the Juna Akhara sect participate in a ritual that is believed to rid them of all ties in this life and dedicate themselves to serving God as a "Naga" or naked holy men, at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna River during the Maha Kumbh festival in Allahabad, India, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013. The significance of nakedness is that they will not have any worldly ties to material belongings, even something as simple as clothes. This ritual that transforms selected holy men to Naga can only be done at the Kumbh festival.—Text by AP, Photos by Agencies
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samir
Feb 08, 2013 04:30pm
To increase the horizons of our thoughts beyond the preaching in holy quran. To make an effort to help us understand that Islam is one way to get closer to God. There are other religions which give same destination and the experience of journey through each is unique. To help you understand the philosophy of other faiths as well so you accept all faiths than to hate them as lesser creatures on earth.
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Chittar Kumar
Feb 08, 2013 04:58pm
In theory, nothing. Newspapers report major events in all countries and that is how knowledge about current events is gained and one gets knowledgeable in this world. So, if you wish Dawn to report only on events concerning Pakistan, it will be bombs,violence, threats etc 80%. I am hoping your idea of a knowledgeable Pakistani is not about that?
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Secular no more
Feb 08, 2013 07:43am
The more i see pictures like this, the more i become optimistic that PAKISTAN will change one day...thank you DAWN
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Aamir Farooq
Feb 08, 2013 05:27am
Can someone tell me what do Pakistanis have to do with this Kumbh thing?
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vinayak
Feb 08, 2013 06:52pm
Amazing pics!! Just liked all the pics.. fantastic work by the photographer..Superb!
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vijay
Feb 08, 2013 10:40am
amazing snaps which could not seen in any Indian newspapers. Thank you Dawn.
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Rocky
Feb 08, 2013 07:10pm
One thing to take away from Kumbh is how to live in peace with people worshipping different gods and beliefs.
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anand
Feb 07, 2013 06:02pm
Nice pics! But you only covered one akhara.
Should have taken more pics of motley crowd.
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IRUM
Feb 09, 2013 04:43am
So that we do not continue to live like that frog in the well.
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Neel
Feb 09, 2013 06:08am
News is nothing to dadicated to only a singke person but also provide the information to all who needs,May be you don't need such kind of news but some other may be intrested to get the exposure of world.
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ToutatisCeltic
Feb 09, 2013 08:02am
They do look like inferior creatures in the photos...
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Ambreen Gul
Feb 09, 2013 08:07am
They seem to be living in the well, cesspool, sewage .
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Sam
Feb 09, 2013 08:09am
The Kumbh thingy is where they come for their yearly bath.
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Dilip
Feb 09, 2013 11:42am
Either ignore it or try to understand :-)
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Jim
Feb 09, 2013 12:17pm
They are all Hindu Lalas. Worshipping their very many gods and godesses. There is no notion of your sentiment there.
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