Gently Down is a journey of transformation, where the mundane becomes marvelous, and the ordinary turns luminous through the alchemical power of purification and ritual.

In 2001, Spiros Antonopoulos and Barry Silver crossed paths as yoga students in New York City, not realizing that this chance meeting would spark a profound creative partnership. Four years later, we brought Gently Down to life on the sacred banks of the Ganges River in the Himalayas with Bathed, Beaten, Blessed—an immersive experience that honored the ancient flow of the river and the soul’s deeper currents. A decade later, in 2015, we returned to Varanasi for Bathed, Beaten, Blessed 2.0—a more refined offering, yet still deeply rooted in the timeless energies of this sacred land.

 In January 2025, the circle comes full, and the journey deepens. We return to India to mark 20 years of creative collaboration and spiritual exploration. Our next chapter unfolds at the mystical confluence of three rivers—The Ganges and Yamuna, which represent our physical world of duality, time, and space, and The Saraswati, symbolizing the transcendental realm. Here, the ancient, pulsating energy of the Kumbh Mela festival will serve as the backdrop for Bathed, Beaten, Blessed 3.0.

Our project blends performance art with a process of transformation. We journey to India not only to be bathed, beaten, and blessed by the project itself, aiding our own transformations, but to consecrate objects that allow participants to touch the Sublime. The launch of The Kumbh Mela festival sets the stage for this next edition. As the Sun enters sidereal Capricorn, the festival brings the luminous essences of celestial bodies—the stars and planets—into earthly manifestation. Together, we gather, consecrate, and purify our works, prayers, and the hopes of our friends and community. We draw on the celestial inspiration of The Star (the 17th card of the major arcana), channeling its energy into our daily lives through the objects we consecrate and carry forward.

This is not just a celebration; it is an invitation to dive into the cosmic ruckus where time and eternity merge, where the river's flow calls us to surrender and transform.

It is said that a single dip in the sacred waters of the Ganges can purify the soul, washing away the weight of past karmas and illuminating the path ahead. In this ancient spirit, we will immerse 108 T-shirts—along with other sacred items—into the river’s divine current, allowing them to be Bathed in its purifying flow, cleansing them of all energetic impurities. The garments will then undergo the ritual of being hand-washed and Beaten against stones, a sacred process that removes the last remnants of negativity, leaving only the purest vibrations behind. Finally, they will be Blessed in a traditional ceremony at local temples, where they will absorb the energies of devotion, protection, and divine grace.

  But these rituals are not just about the objects—they are a reflection of the transformation we, too, undergo. As we perform these sacred acts, we, along with all who join us, are touched by the same energies of upliftment, expansion, and light. The Gently Down Project serves as a vessel for this alchemical process, offering blessings not only for the items but for every soul they touch—the participants, the recipients, and all beings everywhere.

 This is more than an event; it is an interactive and immersive experience. You are invited to join us—not as mere observers, but as active participants in this mystical journey. Through virtual connection, you will be with us every step of the way—energetically aligned with the river’s sacred flow, the beating of the stones, and the vibrations of Blessing. In the end, you will receive objects imbued with the essence of protection, empowerment, love, and light—a tangible reminder of the transformative power of this sacred journey.

Bathed-Beaten-Blessed 2015: Varanasi Evolution - The ancient city's ghats cradle the project's rebirth. Sacred waters deepen the ritual's power.

Bathed-Beaten-Blessed 2005: Himalayan Genesis - Our first sojourn. The majestic peaks witness the first alchemical transformation.

The Sacred Stage: Kumbh Mela

The Cosmic Confluence

At the Triveni Sangam, three sacred rivers merge. The Ganges, Yamuna, and mystical Saraswati unite, creating a vortex of spiritual power.

A Timeless Gathering

Millions of souls converge, drawn by ancient prophecies. The veil between worlds thins, allowing for profound transformation and liberation.

With Celestial Alignment

As planets align, divine energy amplifies. This rare cosmic event magnifies the potency of every ritual and blessing performed.

Kumbh Mela is a spiritual and cultural spectacle that occurs once every 12 years to celebrate the completion of the revolution Brihaspati (Jupiter). Each Mela is celebrated on the river banks at four different locations around India. In 2025 participants will gather from around the globe at Prayagraj, in the state of Uttar Pradesh to take a dip in the holy confluence of The Ganges, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati rivers. The Kumbh Mela Festival of 2025 is speculated to be the largest peaceful gathering in the history of mankind. Millions of people will come to take a ritual purification bath in the river and participate in community commerce with numerous fairs, education, mass gatherings of holy men and women, discourses by saints, and entertainment.

One Golden Thread x Gently Down: Weaving the Interconnectedness of All Things

At Gently Down, we collaborate exclusively with eco-conscious brands and manufacturers committed to protecting our planet and supporting our communities. One Golden Thread, the generous provider of our t-shirts, crafts their garments from 100% biodegradable jersey fabric, dyed using organic, natural pigments. For each shirt sold, we plant a tree through NGO reforestation partner One Tree Planted. The t-shirts were printed in Downtown L.A. using sustainable, water-based inks.

A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Clean Ganga Fund (CGF), established in 2015 under the Indian Trusts Act of 1882. This initiative empowers individuals, corporations, and NRIs/PIOs to support the conservation and revitalization of the Ganges River, fostering a healthier ecosystem and restoring the river's vitality.