Kumbh Mela festival begins in India

Millions of Hindu devotees have flocked to the place where Ganges and Yamuna rivers meet in Allahabad in northern India. They bathe there to mark the beginning of Kumbh Mela, a festival which only takes place every 12 years. Over 100 million people are expected to bathe where the rivers meet by the end of the day. The 55-day festival, also known as the Pitcher Festival, will be a special one this decade, as it is the Maha Kumbh, which only occurs once every 144 years and is always held in Allahabad.

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Getty Images Photo By Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images Mon, Jan 14, 2013 8:22 AM EST

ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 14: A naga sadhu prays holding his dreadlocks as he bathes in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti of the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 14, 2013 in Allahabad, India. 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 ... more
ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 14: A naga sadhu prays holding his dreadlocks as he bathes in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti of the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 14, 2013 in Allahabad, India. 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. The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. 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. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) less