Naga
Allahabad (Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh
Description
The Kumbh Mela is known the world over for the diverse crowds it attracts. One of the majorities that constituents this crowd are the nagas. The nagas are followers of Lord Shiva, a popular deity in the Hindu culture. The term ‘nag´ means naked. These nagas roam around either naked or scantily clad with a loincloth. They lead ascetic lives and give up on any and all material possessions. They have long matted hair and smear their entire bodies with ash, as a representation of God himself. Apart from being naked or partially so, the nagas adorn themselves with prayer bead (rudraksh malas)and flowers on special occasions like the Kumbh to commemorate the holy days. They can also be seen holding a trident, a symbol of Lord Shiva, at times. The Kumbh is a special event for this sect as it is one of the few moments they can come together and interact with one another. It also gives them a chance to rid any past sins by taking a snaan at the Sangam.
Project Title
The Ganga Project
Date
January 14 2019
DOCUMENT TYPE
image
Identifier:
ALLH_020
Related place
Allahabad
USE RESTRICTIONS
In Copyright
RIGHTS HOLDER
INTACH
