The Maha Kumbh Mela has commenced in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on. The 45-day religious gathering is significant for Hindu pilgrims and devotees as the event marks the completion of 12 Kumbh Mela cycles,

As the festivities continue in grandeur and pomp, another ritualistic bath takes place on the 12 of February, aligning with the Maghi Purnima tithi. On the 26th of February, with the celebrations of the Maha Shivaratri, the Kumbh Mela concludes, marking the end of the greatest religious gathering.

A festival so big that it can be seen from space. For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com A festival so big that it can be seen from space. SUBTITLES AND WORKSHEET Find full subtitles and a worksheet for this episode at: FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ Follow us ✔️ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ LIKE PODCASTS?

Hindu devotees from across India flocked to the northern city of Prayagraj yesterday as the world's largest religious festival began. Over the coming 45 days, an estimated 400 million Hindus are expected to come together for Maha Kumbh Mela.

By Saurabh Sharma PRAYAGRAJ, India (Reuters) -Naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the waters of sacred rivers in India on Tuesday, part of a large crowd of 35 million devotees who took the holy dip on the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela,

Millions of Hindu pilgrims gathered on Tuesday at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers to take part in the first holy bath of the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering.

Over 20 million people performed the holy dip ritual at the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in India's northern city of Prayagraj, a local official said on Tuesday (January 14).