PRAYAGRAJ (AP) – The traditional colourful Indian fabric worn by women is ubiquitous to the world’s largest gathering in northern India’s Prayagraj city, where millions gathered to seek absolution from their sins and take dips in the waters.
This display of Indian women’s most idiosyncratic garment – known as the sari – is, however, seen mostly when it is sun-dried right on the sandy banks at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers after women bathe.
Women are seen sun-drying saris on bamboo rods and on the ground. Some hold the fabrics on both sides and shake it to remove any folds before letting it dry.
Others just spread it on the river bank and the let the sun do its job, before it is packed in their bags and in some cases worn again.
The Maha Kumbh festival is held every 12 years. This year’s began on January 13 and ends on February 26. More than 400 million people are expected to attend, and the festival is a massive crowd-control exercise.
The festival also sees millions of women taking a dip in the waters, often draped in a sari.
Saris have remained traditional dresses for women in India and other South Asian countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
It is also one of the modest-dress customs of India’s communities. Each sari colour has a significance, with red and yellow believed to be most auspicious. – Rajesh Kumar Singh
