India's Kumbh Mela, World's Largest Religious Gathering

Workers paint a mural of Hindu deity Ganesha ahead of the Kumbh Mela, which organisers expect to be attended by 400 million devotees (Credit: AFP)

Organisers of India's Kumbh Mela have prepared to host a staggering 400 million devotees at the six-week Hindu festival that starts Monday and is expected to be the largest human gathering in history.

Pilgrims will come from across India and beyond to take part in elaborate rituals, prayers and religious processions with elephants, as well as horse-back parades and chariots.