A क
News Photos India

Naga Sadhus at the Mahakumbh

  • Swami Avdheshanand Giri, right, initiates Hindu holy men of the Juna Akhara during rituals 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, early Thursday, Jan. 31, 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. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)
    Image Source : INDIATV

    Swami Avdheshanand Giri, right, initiates Hindu holy men of the Juna Akhara during rituals 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, early Thursday, Jan. 31, 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. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)

  • Image Source : INDIATV

    Leader Swami Avdheshanand Giri, center, arrives to initiate Hindu holy men of the Juna Akhara during rituals 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, early Thursday, Jan. 31, 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. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)

  • Image Source : INDIATV

    A Naga Sadhu, right, watches as Hindu holy men of the Juna Akhara sect arrive for a rituals that are 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, Wednesday, Feb.6, 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. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)

  • Image Source : INDIATV

    A Naga Sadhu, center, watches as other Hindu holy men of the Juna Akhara sect participate in a rituals that are 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, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 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. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)

  • Image Source : INDIATV

    A sadhu, or Hindu holy man, bathes as others from the Juna Akhara sect participate in rituals that are 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, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 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. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)

  • Image Source : INDIATV

    A sadhu, or Hindu holy man, takes photographs of others from the Juna Akhara sect performing rituals that are 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, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 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. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)

  • Image Source : INDIATV

    A Hindu holy man of Niranjani Akhara has his beard and head shaved before being initiated as a Naga sadhu, or naked Hindu holy man, at at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna River during the Maha Kumbh festival in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 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. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

  • Image Source : INDIATV

    A Hindu holy man of Niranjani Akhara prepares to have his beard and head shaved before being initiated as a Naga sadhu, or naked Hindu holy man, at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna River during the Maha Kumbh festival in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 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 performed at the Kumbh festival. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Advertisement