Early morning seekers come at 5 a.m. to the Shipra River in India for a spiritual cleansing. The river, which flows into the Ganges River, was busy twenty-four hours a day with people, but the more devoted came at sunrise. Millions of people, like this mother and daughter, streamed into the holy city of Ujjain in search of spiritual cleansing during the Kumbh Mela, an ancient Hindu festival. They believe the water will wash away their sins and purify their hearts.
Header image for “Holy Ground: Hindus and the Ganges River”
