Photos: Kumbh Mela, world's biggest religious festival begins in India

Until February 26, 400 million people are expected to visit northern city of Prayagraj

Last updated: January 13, 2025 | 17:10

2 MIN READ

Vast crowds of Hindu pilgrims bathed in the sacred waters of the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, as the Kumbh Mela festival kicked off in Prayagraj on January 13. Organizers expect over 400 million people to gather for the world's largest religious festival over the next six weeks. The event draws millions of devotees seeking spiritual purification during the grand religious gathering.

-Photo by India's Uttar Pradesh State Information Department / AFP

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Hindu pilgrims arrive to take a holy dip in the sacred waters of Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on January 13, 2025.

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Devotees arrive with their belongings to take a dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on the occasion of ‘Paush Purnima’ during Maha Kumbh 2025.

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A Hindu pilgrim takes a holy dip in the sacred waters of Sangam in Prayagraj on January 13, 2025.

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The six-week Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival, begins in India on Monday, marking a monumental Hindu event that is set to become the world’s largest gathering, showcasing religion, spirituality, tourism, and crowd management.

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Until February 26, more than 400 million people are expected to gather in the northern city of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

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Devotees believe that bathing in these sacred waters washes away sins and brings salvation from the cycle of life and death. The festival traces its origins to a Hindu myth in which the god Vishnu wrested a golden pitcher containing the nectar of immortality from demons.

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Security personnel stand guard at Triveni Sangam on the occasion of ‘Paush Purnima’ during Maha Kumbh 2025, in Prayagraj.

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Devotees pose for a selfie as they arrive to take a dip at Triveni Sangam on the occasion of ‘Paush Purnima’ at Maha Kumbh 2025.

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Police personnel mounted on a horse patrol as devotees arrive to take a dip at Triveni Sangam on the occasion of ‘Paush Purnima’ during Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.

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A sprawling 4,000 hectares of open land along the banks of the rivers has been converted into a temporary city to house the visitors in 150,000 tents and comes equipped with 3,000 kitchens, 145,000 restrooms and 99 parking lots.

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The state government has allocated 64 billion rupees ($765 million) for this year’s event.

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