Photos: Hindu festival draws crowds to holy river

Devotees take holy dips at the Sangam, the sacred confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during Magh Mela festival, in Prayagraj, India. Hindus believe that ritual bathing on auspicious days can cleanse them of all sins. A tented city for the religious leaders and the believers has come up at the sprawling festival site with mounted police personnel keeping a close watch on the activities. The festival is being held amid rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of India after months of a steady nationwide decline.

Pilgrims take holy dips early morning at Sangam, the sacred confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during Magh Mela festival, in Prayagraj, India.

Rows and rows of colorful tents, in which the devotees stay, line the sprawling festival site. Millions of Hindus travel every year to the event, called Magh Mela, where pilgrims offer prayers and enter the holy waters where the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers meet.

Devotees pray and take holy dips at Sangam, during Magh Mela festival, in Prayagraj.

A health worker takes nasal swab samples of Hindu holy men, to test for COVID-19. Health officials have told local media that they have tested tens of thousands of pilgrims for the virus since the festival began on Jan. 14. It is set to end on Feb. 27.

In Hinduism, this period is called Kalpvas and the devotees who choose to stay for the entire time are known as Kalpvasis. They give up their daily routine and instead camp at the site, living on frugal meals and performing rituals. Above, devotees arrive at Sangam, the sacred confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati for Magh mela festival, in Prayagraj.

Hindu holy men prepare food on the banks of the river Ganges during the Magh Mela festival in Prayagraj. Virender Kumar Shukla, a Kalpvasi devotee, is attending for the fifth time. He said he hopes by offering prayers to "find a place in heaven'' and earn "a better rebirth.''

Devotees and pilgrims eat at a free food camp, at Sangam.

A Hindu holy man prays as others shower flower petals on him during the Magh Mela festival in Prayagraj.

A Hindu priest prepares vermillion paste for pilgrims at Sangam.

A family takes a selfie after a holy dip at Sangam during Magh mela festival, in Prayagraj.

Police patrol the site and floating bridges were built to help people get from one side of the river to the other. Above, Inspector General of Police Kavinder Pratap Singh patrols on horseback during Magh Mela festival, in Prayagraj.

A Hindu holy man watches pilgrims walk past during Magh Mela festival.