Divyanshu Verma regards the north Indian city of Prayagraj as deeply special: not only is it home, it is also where he began his journey into street photography. This image was taken in the Sangam area during the huge Hindu purification festival Maha Kumbh Mela – maha meaning great because this was the 12th in a row of the ritual that takes place once every 12 years.
“It’s a massive spiritual gathering and the energy is entirely unique,” Verma says. “The place was incredibly crowded with people who had travelled from far and wide, all drawn by faith, but there was a strange sense of calm within the chaos. I wandered through the crowds with my phone, observing rituals and soaking up the powerful atmosphere.”
Verma credits the light with helping him “bring out the sharp shadows, soft tones and vibrant textures. Two women had been bathing in the Ganges River and were holding this red saree up to dry. Against the blue sky, the flowing red fabric looked incredibly striking.
When it aligned just right over these people, I knew I had found something special.”
Later, Verma made minor adjustments to contrast, saturation and vibrancy in order “to bring out the richness of the colours. The limitations of mobile photography push me to think more creatively,” Verma adds. “It keeps me grounded and reminds me that powerful storytelling doesn’t always need expensive gear: it needs presence, emotion and intention.”
