The largest religious festival in the world begins in India

The Mahakumbh Mela is held in the northern city of Prayagraj

Ankit Srinivas devotees perform fire rituals while entering the festival — The Mahakumbh Mela is held in the northern city of Prayagraj

Millions of people gather in the northern Indian city of Prayagraj in the state of Uttar Pradesh to participate in the Mahakumbh Melathe world’s largest gathering of humanity.

Devout Hindus from all over the world have come here (and will continue to do so) for six weeks to bathe in the Sangam – the confluence of India’s holiest river, the Ganges, with the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

Hindus believe that bathing in holy waters cleanses people of sins.

Authorities have set up a sprawling tent city spread over 4,000 hectares of open land along the banks of rivers to accommodate visitors who arrive at the grounds in colorful grand processions, singing and dancing along the way.

Photojournalist Ankit Srinivas brings some of the sights from the festival:

Around 400 million pilgrims are expected to attend the spectacle, which will last 45 days

Ash-covered saints dancing and entering the festival — Around 400 million pilgrims are expected to attend the spectacle, which will last 45 days

Pilgrims from all parts of the country arrived at Prayagraj for the event

Ankit Srinivas Two pilgrims walk to a festival — Pilgrims from all parts of the country arrived at Prayagraj for the event

A group of ash-stained pilgrims perform rituals at the Kumbha

Ankit Srinivas A group of ash-stained Hindu holy men performing rituals at the Mahakumbh — A group of ash-stained pilgrims perform rituals at the Kumbha

The devout will bathe in the Sangama – the confluence of India’s holiest river Ganges with the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati

Ankit Srinivas A group of men in saffron-colored clothing walks through the festival grounds — The devout will bathe in the Sangama – the confluence of India’s holiest river Ganges with the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati

Devotees brave freezing temperatures to participate in the festival

Devotees and Maha Kumbh — Devotees brave freezing temperatures to participate in the festival

Kumbh is the largest religious gathering in the world

Ankit Srinivas Thousands of pilgrims gathered on the banks of the river — Kumbh is the largest religious gathering in the world

A huge tent city, covering 4,000 hectares, was set up on the banks of the river

Ankit Srinivas Night aerial view of the grand festival — A huge tent city, covering 4,000 hectares, was set up on the banks of the river

The construction of the tent city began in September last year

Ankit Srinivas Aerial view of the river banks — The construction of the tent city began in September last year

Ankit Srinivas A holy man staring at the camera — The festival ends on February 26

Many Hindu saints will stay at the festival for 45 days

Ankit Srinivas Another holy man arrives in his ornate vintage red car — Many Hindu saints will stay at the festival for 45 days

The main attraction at the Kumbh are the naked Naga sadhus, or ascetics, who throw themselves into the icy waters of the river

Ankit Srinivas Dozens of saints walk in a parade at the festival — The main attraction at the Kumbh are the naked Naga sadhus, or ascetics, who throw themselves into the icy waters of the river

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