Alex Ng Selecting the top five was the most challenging part of the entire judging process. I hesitated for quite some time before deciding to place this photograph in my top five. My choice was not solely because of the story behind the image—although a grand event that takes place only once every 144 years, with such an enormous number of participants, is already an outstanding subject in itself. The success of this photograph lies in the fact that the photographer found the perfect timing and the ideal vantage point to capture an exceptional moment. The steady and impeccable composition, the harmonious colors, and the light that adds the final touch of brilliance—all of these contribute to the success of this image.
A once-in-144 years phenomenon. Ash-smeared Hindu holy men (Naga Sadhus) charged into India's most sacred river Ganges at dawn on the first most significant bathing day of the Kumbh Mela festival. An extraordinary display of human unity, spiritual energy, and collective consciousness.