Paramilitary forces in charge of security at India’s massive Kumbh Mela religious pilgrimage have extended security measures to prohibit tourists from taking photos at Har-Ki-Pauri and other important bathing ghats in Haridwar.

The three month-long bathing festival along the holy Ganges river in northern Uttarakhand state occurs once every 12 years and is expected to see 50 million Hindu devotees performing “puja” (prayers) and washing away their sins in the sub-zero waters. However camera totting tourists beware that you will be disappointed when you are turned away at the entrance.

Only officially authorised photo journalists and media personnel are allowed to take photographs at the ghats like the Har-Ki-Pauri. Casual photographers are requested not to carry their cameras or else suffer warnings or confiscation of gears. Most of the westerners who do not spend little time and money come to the Kumbha Mela under the assumption that they are given free access to photograph and document the event as their preferences and end up being disappointed with the imposed restrictions.

Terrorism threats, Security concerns and protecting the holiness and integrity of the nude bathers are the main reasons these restrictions are in place. Permits for documenting the event are provided only for world media personnel with the J-Visa to record and document the event.