Explore the Vibrant Kumbh Mela: A Visual Journey Through the World’s Largest Religious Festival | CNN

In northern India, millions of Hindu devotees are participating in the Maha Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world. It’s a vibrant display of faith and devotion, with people bathing in sacred waters.

This year, around 400 million attendees are expected at the festival, which started on January 13 and will continue until February 26 in Prayagraj. People come to the Triveni Sangam, where the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati meet, to wash away their sins and seek spiritual freedom.

Every 12 years, the festival is marked as “Maha,” meaning great, making it a special event of the Kumbh Mela that happens every three years in one of four cities. Despite safety concerns, especially after a tragic crowd incident last month, many have still gathered to partake in this sacred experience.

The Mela is also famous for drawing many Hindu holy men known as sadhus. These ascetics have given up material possessions and live a life devoted to spirituality. Their unique appearance, often featuring dreadlocks and ash-covered bodies, adds to the festival’s colorful atmosphere.