It’s late evening in the city of Prayagraj and the roadside vendors selling snacks are packing up their wares to shut for the night.

Nearly 15 million Hindus, six times the number expected, took a dip in freezing waters seeking absolution of their sins on Monday, the first day of India's festival that could draw the world's largest single gathering of humanity.

Vast crowds of Hindu pilgrims in India bathed in sacred waters as the Kumbh Mela festival opened on Monday, with organisers expecting 400 million people -- the world's largest gathering of humanity -- to assemble over six weeks.India is the world's most populous nation, with 1.4 billion people, and so is used to large crowds.

Hindu devotees gather for a dip at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers on the first day of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, Monday, Jan.

Hari Om, a devotional OTT platform, offers free subscriptions at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. This spiritual gathering in Prayagraj highlights India's cultural heritage, drawing millions of devotees. Hari Om aims to blend tradition with modernity through its extensive devotional content available for free to attendees.

Nearly 15 million Hindus, six times the number expected, took a dip in freezing waters seeking absolution of their sins on Monday (January 13), the first day of India's Maha Kumbh festival, according to State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Prayagraj is witnessing an influx of devotees from around the world on the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela. According to the UP DGP, over 10 million devotees have already taken the holy dip. The number of pilgrims from India and abroad continues to grow as more arrive at Triveni Sangam on the third day of this 45-day festival,

Several devotees took a dip in the Triveni Sangam on Tuesday as part of the Amrit Snan of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious congregation, in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, celebrated as the world's largest human gathering, commenced early Monday on Paush Purnima. For a holy dip, an immense wave of devotees flocked to the Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga,