India, Feb. 15 -- From the moment Lord Shiva drank the poison that emerged from the Samudra Manthan to today, when mortals cleanse their souls in the Ganga's holy waters, the mythological tale behind the Maha Kumbh Mela remains timeless. Taking readers along on her sojourn to its sacred shores is Delhi-based corporate professional Ritu Jhingon. Her new book, Confluence, explores the ebb and flow of millions who converge in Prayagraj. Accompanying the author is her deep passion for photography. "I used to be a national swimmer. When I looked at water, it used to draw me instantly. From the passion for swimming to just sitting by the water, and then imbibing it as Ma Ganga, the journey has been really amazing," she says. The very word "kumbh" would send excitement coursing through her veins. "My friends and colleagues would go chasing faith, whereas I would be elated to accompany them, as I would get to photograph life at the Kumbh." The first time she visited what is often called the largest congregation of humans in the world was in 2013. "It was eye-opening," recalls the 59-year-old, who has now attended the mela five times. "It's not just a mela. It's an experience that has reshaped my understanding of life and the limitless potential of the human spirit," she says, as the book's 122 photographs speak volumes. From an elderly couple drying a saree on a bustling ghat to police personnel patrolling on horseback, Jhingon has composed frames that capture far more than just the ascetics in the akharas. "There were seekers from across the universe. It was overwhelming, to say the least... But I feel I've just touched the tip of the iceberg," she confesses. "Once you're there, you want to capture everything. There are people at the ghats at the crack of dawn when you're still shivering in your bed. Sometimes I'd go at 4am and just wait. Like on the days of the shahi snan when the Naga Sadhus take the first dip in the Sangam... I was so mesmerised, I believe I may not have been able to take a shot of some of the most beautiful sights," she adds. Over the years, she has also documented how the place and its people have evolved. "Back in the day, one had to struggle with accommodation, hygiene and sometimes even the basics. This time (2025), the arrangements were fantastic," she says, adding, "I saw how civic sense has also been evoked in many people. It's so mesmerising." As her lens captures emotion, her words placed beside the photographs encapsulate the essence. It is here that another confluence exists....