Kumbh Mela

Celebrate Mother Ganga, the giver of life, in a Hindu ritual known as aarti. This ritual is one of the more modern traditions of the Kumbh Mela, showing that religion is not static. Rather, it keeps updating itself for the present.

Is it possible to be alone amongst thousands of people? Watch how pilgrims find solitude during the ritual bathing in the Ganges River.

Take a boat ride in the early morning to great Mother Ganga.

Take a break from the festivities of the Kumbh Mela to explore the place where Buddhism was born. Be sure to toss a coin for good luck!

Discover some of the core tenets of Hinduism as experienced in Varanasi, one of India’s holiest cities, in this video resource from PBS LearningMedia.

One of the most well-known symbols of the Kumbh Mela is the naked men known as Naga Sadhus. Why are they naked, and what happens when host Bruce Feiler joins a Naga Sadhus in his tent? Find out!

Bathe in the Ganges River with American pilgrim Karmen Plasencia.

Bathe in the sacred river Ganga alongside 100 million Hindus. This episode of Sacred Journeys with Bruce Feiler premieres December 30 at 8/7C on PBS (check local listings). See more from the Kumbh Mela at http://pbs.org/sacredjourneys