Kumbh Mela: Millions on 'spiritual journey of a lifetime'
The organisers of the world's largest religious festival, the Kumbh Mela, have said 30 million Hindu pilgrims have bathed at the confluence of the Ganges and Jamuna rivers.
Heads of monasteries arriving on chariots and ash-smeared naked ascetics led the ritual, which Hindus believe cleanses them of their sins.
The population of the city of Allahabad has swollen from over one million to about 40 million for the most auspicious day of the festival.
Sanjoy Majumder reports.