Bandeep Singh Presents “Bhasmang: The Way of The Naga Sadhus”

An Exhibition of Photographs of the Naga Sadhus at the Kumbh Mela

Bandeep Singh presents BHASMANG: The Way of The Naga Sadhus, a series of photographs of Naga Sadhus, photographed at the Kumbh Melas of 2019 and 2025. The exhibition will be held at Travancore Palace, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi, with its opening on 24th February 2025 and public viewing from 25th February to 2nd March 2025.

Maha Kumbh Mela and Intimate Observations in Bandeep Singh Photography Exhibitions

Every twelve years, the Maha Kumbh Mela emerges as a powerful vortex of humanity at the sacred Sangam in Prayag Raj. Millions are immersed in ancient traditions, seeking spiritual renewal. In the colour-soaked chaos, few figures capture the imagination as profoundly as the Naga Sadhus. Draped in Bhasma (ash) with their naked bodies exposed as a canvas of ritual devotion – these ascetics appear as both mystical and surreal. They represent an ancient commitment to renunciation and enlightenment, their lives a vivid testament to the quest for liberation from worldly ties. 

Despite being the most photographed subjects at the Kumbh Mela, the Naga Sadhus remain intensely reclusive, often dismissing curiosity with brusque indifference. Their visual representation in media is striking, but largely limited to images of ‘boisterous ascetics’ in processions or dipping in the holy rivers during the ritualistic baths. However, beyond these dramatic depictions lies a deeper, more enigmatic existence that can only be uncovered through intimate observations very few outsiders have had the privilege of attaining.

Artistic Documentation through The Exhibition

“Bhasmang: The Way of the Naga Sadhus” is a series of photographs by Bandeep Singh, capturing the Naga Sadhus between 2019 and 2025. These portraits, achieved through rare access inside their akharas, offer studied and immersive glimpses into their world.

What began as an artistic documentation of their appearance and rituals gradually transformed into a revelation of the Naga Sadhus’ spiritual intensity and ecstasy. The bond of trust formed with the photographer allowed them to drop their resistance to the external gaze, performing uninhibitedly for the camera. Shot within tents inside their Akharas using carefully crafted lighting setups, the photographs provide a stark yet intimate insight into their personalities and material culture.

Photographer Bandeep Singh shares, “ Explorations of the spiritual realm have always intrigued me. A pull towards the spiritual, the transcendent feels like an intrinsic part of my being. I am fascinated by the image of a human being who is in complete bliss, unmindful of any social convention in direct contact with a larger force.

There is this concept of ‘Mauj’ in Sufism, a state of true ecstasy. I see ‘Mauj’ in a Fakir, just as I see the concept of ‘Anand’ in many Indian ascetics including Naga Sadhus. At their core, they all seem to be in direct communion with a larger force, untouched by societal expectations. I am naturally drawn to that image—the vision of someone in a state of absolute bliss, unbound by social norms, deeply connected to something greater. Being in their presence feels like coming home.” 

At the heart of this narrative lies an intricate relationship between the photographer and the ascetic. What starts as a pursuit of visual storytelling evolves into something far deeper—a meditation on faith, identity, and the subtle power dynamics between observer and observed. While the Naga Sadhu severs ties with the material world, embracing detachment and devotion, the photographer remains tethered to technology and artistic intent, seeking to capture both the fleeting and the eternal. This duality is what makes their interaction so compelling. How does one who has renounced all attachments respond to being turned into an image—a subject frozen in time? And how does the photographer, driven by his art, forge an unspoken connection with a way of life so radically different from his own? These questions are the foundation of this exhibition- weaving together personal encounters with larger existential musings on the nature of representation, perception, and truth.

About The Photographer Bandeep Singh 

Bandeep Singh is a distinguished editorial and fine art photographer, renowned for his evocative portraits and masterful lighting. His work has been featured in Time, Fortune, The New York Times, Business Week, Business Today, and numerous other publications. Currently serving as the Group Photo Editor for the India Today Group, he has played a pivotal role in shaping visual storytelling in Indian media. For over a decade, Bandeep has been on the jury for the India Habitat Centre Grant for Photography and has been a key member of the organizing team for the Photosphere Photography Festival. In 2004, he was awarded the prestigious Charles Wallace India Trust Award in photography. From 2016 to 2023, his images earned five Gold Awards at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards. His works are part of the permanent collections at the Essl Museum of Contemporary Art in Vienna, the Nirankari Museum of Faith in Delhi, and several esteemed private collections.