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The largest religious festival in the world begins in India


Devotees of Ankit Srinivas perform fire rituals as they enter the festivalAnkit Srinivas

The Mahakumbh Mela is held in the northern city of Prayagraj.

Millions of people are gathering in the northern Indian city of Prayagraj in the state of Uttar Pradesh to take part in the Maha Kumbh Melathe largest gathering of humanity in the world.

Devout Hindus from all over the world have come here (and will continue to do so) for six weeks to take a holy dip in Sangam, the confluence of India’s most sacred river Ganges with the river Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

Hindus believe that taking a dip in the sacred waters cleanses people of sins.

The authorities have set up a sprawling tent city spread over 4,000 hectares of open land along the banks of the rivers to accommodate visitors, who arrive at the site in large, colorful processions, singing and dancing along of the road.

Photojournalist Ankit Srinivas brings you some places from the festival:

Holy men covered in ash dancing and entering the festival

Some 400 million pilgrims are expected to attend the 45-day spectacle.

Ankit Srinivas Two pilgrims walking towards the festivalAnkit Srinivas

Pilgrims from all over the country have reached Prayagraj for the event.

Ankit Srinivas A group of Hindu saints covered in ash performing rituals at MahakumbhAnkit Srinivas

A group of pilgrims covered in ash perform rituals at the Kumbh

Ankit Srinivas A group of men dressed in saffron walking through the festival groundsAnkit Srinivas

Devotees will bathe in Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges River, the most sacred in India, with the Yamuna River and the mythical Saraswati.

Devotees and Maha Kumbh

Devotees brave freezing temperatures to participate in the festival

Ankit Srinivas Thousands of pilgrims gathered on the banks of the riverAnkit Srinivas

The Kumbh is the largest religious gathering in the world

Ankit Srinivas A nighttime aerial view of the sprawling festivalAnkit Srinivas

A large tent city has been set up on the banks of the river, which extends over 4,000 hectares.

Ankit Srinivas An aerial view of the river banks. Ankit Srinivas

Construction of the tent city began in September last year.

Ankit Srinivas A holy man looking at the cameraAnkit Srinivas

The festival concludes on February 26.

Ankit Srinivas Another holy man arriving in his decorated vintage red carAnkit Srinivas

Many Hindu saints will remain at the festival for 45 days

Ankit Srinivas Dozens of holy men walking in a parade at the festivalAnkit Srinivas

One of the main attractions of the Kumbh are the naked Naga sadhus, or ascetics, who throw themselves into the icy waters of the river.



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