Mamilioni ya mahujaji waoga pamoja mtoni

Indian Hindu Sadhus or holy men line up as they join a procession that will take them to the waters of the Sangham for a dip during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

MILLIONS of Hindu pilgrims have gathered beside the river Ganges to bathe and celebrate during the gigantic Kumba Mela festival, held every 12 years. 

The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on Earth, is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

Kumba Mela: Indian Sadhu or holy man shows off his long dreds during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. 

 

The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years.

Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 

 

The Maha Kumbh Mela celebrated at the holy site of Sangam in Allahabad, is the largest and holiest, celebrated over 55 days, it is expected to attract over 100 million people.

Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India.

Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. 

  Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India.

  Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India.

  Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India.

  Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India.

  Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India.

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