The Maha Kumbh Mela, being held from January 13 to February 26 in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, saw its first Amrit Snan occasion of Makar Sankranti on Tuesday. This holy dip is led by sadhus or seers from akharas,

The Mahanirvani Akhara venerates Sage Kapilmuni and is led by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishokananda. A unique participant is the Kinnar Akhara, which gives transgender people a platform to express their spirituality within Hinduism's inclusive framework.

One of the world's largest religious festivals starts today in India. The Kumbh Mela only happens every 12 years and more than 400 million Hindus are expected to take part.

A Hindu devotee prays before taking a dip at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers on the first day of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, Monday,

Nearly 15 million Hindus, six times the number expected, took a dip in freezing waters seeking absolution of their sins on Monday, the first day of India's festival that could draw the world's largest single gathering of humanity.

The Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela, associated with ancient traditions, has taken a step towards digitalization this year with the use of immersive technology or drone shows that tell the main legends of Hinduism,

Hindu devotees gather for festival in India Live from Prayagraj as millions of Hindu devotees gather in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh for the Maha Kumbh festival, said to be the largest religious congregation on Earth.