The world's largest religious festival begins in India - ORSOLTECH

The Mahakumbh Mela is held in the northern city of Prayagraj

Ankit Srinivas devotees perform fire rituals while entering the festival — The Mahakumbh Mela is held in the northern city of Prayagraj

Millions of people gather in the city of Prayagraj in northern India in the state of Uttar Pradesh to participate in Maha Kumbh MelaThe largest humanitarian gathering in the world.

Devout Hindus from around the world have arrived here (and will continue to do so) over the course of six weeks to take a holy dip in the Sangam – the confluence of India's most sacred Ganges with the Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati.

Hindus believe that swimming in holy water cleanses people of sins.

Authorities have set up a sprawling tent city spanning 4,000 hectares of open land along the riverbanks to accommodate the visitors, who arrive at the grounds in large, colorful processions, singing and dancing along the way.

Photojournalist Ankit Srinivas brings you some scenes from the festival:

About 400 million pilgrims are expected to attend this 45-day spectacle

Holy men smeared with ashes dance and enter the festival — About 400 million pilgrims are expected to attend this 45-day spectacle

Pilgrims from all over the country reached Prayagraj to attend the event

Ankit Srinivas Two pilgrims walk to the festival — Pilgrims from all over the country reached Prayagraj to attend the event

A group of pilgrims smeared with ash perform rituals at the Kumbh

Ankit Srinivas A group of Hindu holy men smeared with ash perform rituals at Mahakumbh — A group of pilgrims smeared with ash perform rituals at the Kumbh

Devotees will bathe in the Sangam – the confluence of India's most sacred Ganges River with the Yamuna River and the legendary Saraswati River.

Ankit Srinivas A group of men dressed in saffron clothes walking on the festival grounds — Devotees will bathe in the Sangam – the confluence of India's most sacred Ganges River with the Yamuna River and the legendary Saraswati River.

Devotees brave the icy temperatures to participate in the festival

Devotees and Maha Kumbh — Devotees brave the icy temperatures to participate in the festival

Kumbh is the largest religious gathering in the world

Ankit Srinivas gathers thousands of pilgrims on the banks of the river — Kumbh is the largest religious gathering in the world

A vast tent city extending over 4,000 hectares has been set up on the banks of the river

Ankit Srinivas Aerial night view of the sprawling festival — A vast tent city extending over 4,000 hectares has been set up on the banks of the river

Construction of the tent city began in September last year

Ankit Srinivas Aerial view of river banks — Construction of the tent city began in September last year

Ankit Srinivas is a holy man staring into the camera — The festival concludes on February 26

Many Hindu holy men will stay in the festival for 45 days

Ankit Srinivas is another holy man arriving in his old ornate red car — Many Hindu holy men will stay in the festival for 45 days

The main attraction of the Kumbh are the naked Naga sadhus, or ascetics who throw themselves into the icy waters of the river

Ankit Srinivas Dozens of holy men walk in procession at the festival — The main attraction of the Kumbh are the naked Naga sadhus, or ascetics who throw themselves into the icy waters of the river

Kumbh Mela

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