Tens of thousands of naked Hindu ascetics and millions of pilgrims gathered in Prayagraj, India, for the Maha Kumbh festival, the largest religious congregation on Earth. The festival, held every 12 years, kicked off with a grand procession of ash-smeared holy men chanting religious slogans in praise of Lord Shiva.
More than 15 million pilgrims bathed in the sacred rivers on the first day of the festival, seeking to cleanse themselves of sins and break free from the cycle of rebirth. The event is expected to draw over 400 million people in the coming weeks, making it the most significant gathering of its kind.
