Mahakumbh Mela begins in Haridwar

The Mahakumbh Mela in Haridwar commenced on January 14 and will end on April 28 on the day of ‘Shakh Purnima'. Haridwar is abuzz with activities as eight lakh devotees, sadhus and tourists have converged there for the Mahakumbh. (AFP Photo)

Over 25 lakh people took dips in the Ganga on the occasion of Makar Sankranti - the day when the sun starts to move northwards marking the decline of winter and start of Uttarayan. (NDTV Photo)

With their earthy habits, acrobatic skills and Shaivite ascetic imagery, the Naga sadhus, are one of the main attractions at the Kumbh. The sadhus have given up a materialistic way of life. (NDTV Photo)

Naga Sadhus belong to different Akharas, or camps. Each akhara has sadhus living in an unconventional way, following their own set of religious and spiritual practices after having renounced worldly objects. (NDTV Photo)

A devotee waits with flowers to offer to the Ganges ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar.

Thousands of devotees are gathering in one of north India's holiest cities. Organizers say this is the largest religious gathering in the world that will attract more than 10 million people. (AP Photo)

Hindus offer prayers for their ancestors as a man prepares to take a dip in the Ganges.

The Kumbh Mela alternates between Allahabad, Ujjain, Nasik and Haridwar every three years.

The Mahakumbh is held every 12 years. (AP Photo)

A congregation of this magnitude makes a huge demand on the government. This year, the BJP government in Uttarakhand has braced itself for five crore footfalls. There are 16,000 security officials to ensure proceedings are tangle-free. To assist them in their vigil, are 100 CCTV cameras.

The infrastructure required is mindboggling. The administration has set up 14,000 temporary toilets and 45 makeshift bridges for pilgrims to cross over. Fourteen kilometres of the river bank has been cleared for holy dips. (AP Photo)

The overwhelming sights and sounds of the Mahakumbh are building up for a three-month spectacle of religious fervor as millions make a bid for salvation.

Here, a prayer lamp floats down the river Ganges as devotees offer their prayers at the religious fair.

The first written evidence of the Kumbh Mela can be found in the accounts of Chinese traveller, Huan Tsang who visited India, during the reign of King Harshavardhana. (AP Photo)

A sadhu gestures while taking a bath on the banks of river Ganges in Haridwar, during the Kumbh festival.

Makar Sankranti is on one of the festival's main bathing days. Thousands of Hindu devotees take a ritual bath in the holy Ganges before daybreak. (AFP Photo)

About five million people are expected to take a dip in the Ganges on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti.

Devotees believe that a dip in the holy river will wash away their sins. It also symbolizes rebirth. (AFP Photo)

The river is icy, but it is of little consequence to the people thronging its banks.

Ten million people gathered at Haridwar for the Kumbh on April 14, 1998. (AFP Photo)

With five million people expected, rupees three hundred crore spent and 16 thousand security officials deployed, the infrastructure is being put to test at Haridwar in the Mahakumbh festival. (AFP Photo)