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.

India's Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival, is set to be the world's largest gathering of humanity, with 400 million visitors expected at the six-week event that began this week in the northern city of Prayagraj.

Nearly 15 million Hindus, six times the number expected, took a dip in freezing waters seeking absolution of their sins on Monday (January 13), the first day of India's Maha Kumbh festival, according to State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

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.

Thousands of worshippers flocked to the Maha Kumbh bathing festival in India. At least 450 million devotees are expected to participate in the holy dip at Triveni Sangam, marking the beginning of the 45-day festival in Uttar Pradesh,