Millions of Hindu devotees gather for Maha Kumbh festival

Hindu pilgrims take a dip in the sacred waters of Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on Jan. 13, 2025.

Hindu devotees gather along the banks of Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on Jan. 13, 2025.

A devotee prays as he takes a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, during the "Maha Kumbh Mela", or the Great Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, India, Jan. 13, 2025.

Hindu pilgrims offer prayers and take a dip in the sacred waters of Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on Jan. 13, 2025.

Workers broom a barricaded area near Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival, on a cold winter morning in Prayagraj on Jan.13, 2025.

A Hindu devotee arrives to take a dip in Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival, on a cold winter morning in Prayagraj on Jan. 13, 2025.

Rescue personnel ferry a boat for security measures, at Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on Jan. 13, 2025.

Hindu pilgrims arrive with their belongings to take a holy dip in the sacred waters of Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on Jan. 13, 2025.

Devotees gather on the day they take a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, during the "Maha Kumbh Mela", or the Great Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, India, Jan. 13, 2025.