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Fulfilling divine duties in India

Agencies Published January 5, 2013
Naga Sadhus, or Naked Hindu holy men, arrive during a religious procession towards the Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, as part of the Mahakumbh festival in Allahabad, India, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in the large religious congregation on the banks of the Sangam during the festival in January 2013, which falls every 12th year. ? AP Photo
Naga Sadhus, or Naked Hindu holy men, arrive during a religious procession towards the Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, as part of the Mahakumbh festival in Allahabad, India, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in the large religious congregation on the banks of the Sangam during the festival in January 2013, which falls every 12th year. ? AP Photo
An Indian devotee participates in a Maha Aarti at the end of celebrations during the 50 years celebrations of the Bochassanwasi Shri Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Shahibaug's Temple in Ahmedabad on January 4, 2012. Thousands of devotees from India and abroad thronged the Sardar Patel, Navrangpura stadium in Ahmedabad. ? AFP Photo
An Indian devotee participates in a Maha Aarti at the end of celebrations during the 50 years celebrations of the Bochassanwasi Shri Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Shahibaug's Temple in Ahmedabad on January 4, 2012. Thousands of devotees from India and abroad thronged the Sardar Patel, Navrangpura stadium in Ahmedabad. ? AFP Photo
Indian devotees in thousands along with the Priests participate in a Maha Aarti at the end of celebrations during the 50 years celebrations of the Bochassanwasi Shri Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Shahibaug's Temple in Ahmedabad on January 4, 2012. ? AFP Photo
Indian devotees in thousands along with the Priests participate in a Maha Aarti at the end of celebrations during the 50 years celebrations of the Bochassanwasi Shri Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Shahibaug's Temple in Ahmedabad on January 4, 2012. ? AFP Photo
Indian members of Akhara distribute food to Indian Hindu Saddhus (holy men) after a religious procession of the first "royal entry" of the Kumbh Mela at the Sangam in Allahabad on January 3, 2013. The Kumbh Mela, which is scheduled to take place in the northern Indian city in January and February 2013, is the world's largest gathering of people for a religious purpose and millions of people gather for this auspicious occasion. ? AFP Photo
Indian members of Akhara distribute food to Indian Hindu Saddhus (holy men) after a religious procession of the first "royal entry" of the Kumbh Mela at the Sangam in Allahabad on January 3, 2013. The Kumbh Mela, which is scheduled to take place in the northern Indian city in January and February 2013, is the world's largest gathering of people for a religious purpose and millions of people gather for this auspicious occasion. ? AFP Photo
Indian Hindu Saddhus (holy men) participate in a religion procession in preparation for the Kumbh Mela at Sangam in Allahabad on January 4, 2013. The Kumbh Mela, which is scheduled to take place in the northern Indian city in January and February 2013, is the world's largest gathering of people for a religious purpose and millions of people gather for this auspicious occasion. ? AFP Photo
Indian Hindu Saddhus (holy men) participate in a religion procession in preparation for the Kumbh Mela at Sangam in Allahabad on January 4, 2013. The Kumbh Mela, which is scheduled to take place in the northern Indian city in January and February 2013, is the world's largest gathering of people for a religious purpose and millions of people gather for this auspicious occasion. ? AFP Photo
Indian dancers perform in front of life-sized created structure of Swaminarayan Temple, Shahibaug during the 50 years celebrations of the Bochassanwasi Shri Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Shahibaug's Temple in Ahmedabad on January 4, 2012. ? AFP Photo
Indian dancers perform in front of life-sized created structure of Swaminarayan Temple, Shahibaug during the 50 years celebrations of the Bochassanwasi Shri Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), Shahibaug's Temple in Ahmedabad on January 4, 2012. ? AFP Photo
A Naga Sadhu, or Naked Hindu holy man, takes part in a religious procession towards the Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, as part of the Mahakumbh festival in Allahabad, India, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. ? AP Photo
A Naga Sadhu, or Naked Hindu holy man, takes part in a religious procession towards the Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, as part of the Mahakumbh festival in Allahabad, India, Friday, Jan. 4, 2013. ? AP Photo

This gallery comprises of various religious events taking place in several parts of India. — Photos by Agencies

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Comments (16) Closed
Shubs
Jan 07, 2013 06:24am
And that hurts your sensibilities, "Mr Singh"?
Recommend 0
Shubs
Jan 07, 2013 06:25am
Uncalled for, in my opinion.
Recommend 0
RPK
Jan 07, 2013 04:10am
Same question came to the mind of Alexander, the Great! On his journey to conquer the world, he came to meet a group of Naga Sadhus, standing naked in sun and meditating. Curiosity got over Alexander, and he sent one of his accomplice to a Naga sadhu, who asked that the King wants to understand, what he is doing and why? Naga sadhu replied, "let the King get down from his Horse (leave his kingness) and then come to me, stand with me for a while, and then I will reply". Alexander was told, about the reply. He thought for a while, got down from the horse, joined his hands and bowed down to the Sadhu and then continued with his journey.
Recommend 0
sitra
Jan 06, 2013 07:42am
I am so amazed what these people are doing!! thetrendystyle.com
Recommend 0
jai
Jan 06, 2013 02:29pm
true. its like the real dawn which scatters the dark,islamic exclusive and ignorant clouds in very difficult radical pakistan. continue this good work.
Recommend 0
Varad Vaidya
Jan 06, 2013 12:35pm
A bit of correction. Naga means Snake Sadhus. They are not naked ones, but those who live with snakes.
Recommend 0
Ajay
Jan 05, 2013 01:42pm
Ill be frank...i have been following DAWN for a long now.Really appreciate the effort of DAWN to highlight Indian traditions...I have not seen that in TOI that much...the 2 news papers i read every morning online DAWN & Times Of India.
Recommend 0
Nasir
Jan 07, 2013 04:26pm
some of these guys look like they came from woodstock
Recommend 0
Mr Singh
Jan 05, 2013 06:47pm
dunia mars par Jane ki tyari mai hai aur ye log abhi nange ghum rahe hai.
Recommend 0
Honest man
Jan 05, 2013 07:31pm
Nice pictures and article. Dawn is trying hard to bring tolenance and communal harmony in the Pakistani society. Hope their efforts will bring fruits soon.
Recommend 0
Avishek
Jan 05, 2013 07:45pm
yeah..right... @Ajay..
Recommend 0
Vijay
Jan 05, 2013 08:46pm
Hi Bro Please add The Hindu newspaper also in the list which is better than TOI.
Recommend 0
DeepU
Jan 06, 2013 03:13am
Har Har Mahedev
Recommend 0
Rocky
Jan 06, 2013 03:46am
The rituals may look absurd but the beauty is that everybody follows his own path to happiness and salvation. Nobody tries to impose his way on others. Nobody owns the sole path to God. So, there is a sort of unity in diversity.
Recommend 0
Rocky
Jan 06, 2013 03:49am
We have enough Muslims of all hues in India itself. Various Muslim festivals and celebrations are covered by the news media. However, for most of Dawn readers in Pakistan, Hinduism is an enigma. Still, hats off to Dawn for bringing us together.
Recommend 0
kULDEEP JAGPAL MD
Jan 06, 2013 05:29am
Dawn Is a Very good paper. Personally I compare it Washington Post My other favorite Paper.
Recommend 0

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