Devotees taking a holy dip at the Sangam
Devotees taking a holy dip at the Sangam — the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers — during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, previously know as Allahabad. Image Credit: AFP

As many as 150 million people are expected to come to the festival city of Prayagraj to bathe at the confluence of three rivers considered holy in Hinduism — the Ganges, the Yamuna, and a mythological third one, the Saraswati. Hindus believe bathing in the Ganges at the time of the Kumbh absolves people of sins.

Devotees taking a holy dip
Devotees taking a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
The devotees gathered to take a holy dip 3
The devotees gathered to take a holy dip during Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj. Image Credit: REUTERS

The Mela commenced on January 15 on Makar Sankranti, the first bathing day, and the Mahashivratri on March 4 will mark its last bathing day.

A sea of devotees gathered at Sangam 4
A sea of devotees gathered at Sangam, the confluence of three rivers, to take a holy dip during the Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj. Image Credit: PTI

According to Kumbh Mela administration, till February 9, as many as 140 million devotees have already visited the place.

An aerial view shows the temporary pontoon 5
An aerial view shows the temporary pontoon bridges built over the Ganges River during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
Devotees at the Sangam 6
Devotees at the Sangam where the rivers Ganga and Yamuna meet, as well as the mythical Saraswati, during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
An aerial view shows the temporary camp
An aerial view shows the temporary camp set up for devotees at the Sangam, the confluence of three rivers - during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
The devotees gathered 8
The devotees gathered to take a holy dip during Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj. Image Credit: REUTERS
Devotees taking a holy dip 10
Devotees taking a holy dip at the confluence of three rivers during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
Pilgrims arrive
Pilgrims arrive at the confluence of three rivers during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
Devotees taking a holy dip 11
Devotees taking a holy dip at the confluence of thre rivers during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
Pilgrims arrive at the confluence 12
Pilgrims arrive at the confluence of threr rivers during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
An aerial view of Sangam 13
An aerial view of Sangam as sadhus and devotees take holy dip during Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: PTI
An aerial view shows 14
An aerial view shows the temporary camp set up for devotees at the Sangam during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
Devotees taking a holy dip 15
Devotees taking a holy dip at Sangam during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
Pilgrims arriving 16
Pilgrims arriving at the Sangam during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
Devotees gathered 17
Devotees gathered to take a holy dip at the Sangam during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: REUTERS
Pilgrims 18
Pilgrims at the main point of the Sangam during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
Devotees arriving at the Sangam 19
Devotees arriving at the Sangam during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: AFP
An aerial shot shows a sea of devotees
An aerial shot shows a sea of devotees gathered at Sangam to take a holy dip during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Image Credit: PTI