India. Uttar Pradesh state. Allahabad. Maha Kumbh Mela. Two Naga (naked) Sadhu sit on a carpet outside their tent at Sangam. Two couple attend spiritual discourses in front of the tent. One ascetic man puts a tilaka on the front head of a woman. In Hinduism, the tilaka, tika or tilakam or tilak is a mark created by the smearing of powder or paste and worn on the forehead. Tilaka may be worn on a daily basis or for special religious occasions. The Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering is held every 12 years on the banks of the 'Sangam'- the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. In Hinduism, Sadhu (good; good man, holy man) denotes an ascetic, wandering monk. Sadhus are sanyasi, or renunciates, who have left behind all material attachments. They are renouncers who have chosen to live a life apart from or on the edges of society in order to focus on their own spiritual practice. The significance of nakedness is that they will not have any worldly ties to material belongings, even something as simple as clothes. A Sadhu is usually referred to as Baba by common people. The Maha (great) Kumbh Mela, which comes after 12 Purna Kumbh Mela, or 144 years, is always held at Allahabad. Uttar Pradesh (abbreviated U.P.) is a state located in northern India. 6.02.13 © 2013 Didier Ruef