Kumbh Mela Diaries

• Photographer
  Nicola Balestrazzi
• Photo Date
  2025

The Maha Kumbh Mela is the world largest religious festival that was held in Prayagraj, India between mid-January and the end of February 2025. This Hindu pilgrimage gathering is connected to astrology and the 2025 edition was unique since the constellation alignment seen was witnessed once in 144 years. More than 600 million people had taken a dip at the Sangam, the confluence of three rivers: the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati. It is a very sacred place and it is believed that taking a dip in it washes away people's sins and provides them “moksha” or salvation.

Born and raised in Italy, Nicola Balestrazzi has worked as a trader in the financial sector. His love for photography and travels pushed him to undertake photography full time since 2022, dedicating more time exploring the world and shooting what satisfies his curiosity and stimulates his sight. He favors street and documentary/social photography, and more generally everything that documents human life and the surrounding environment.