Tens of thousands of Hindus gathered in Prayagraj on Monday to begin the Maha Kumbh Mela, a six-week festival attracting over 400 million visitors. Devotees immerse in the sacred rivers seeking absolution during the religious event held every 12 years.

Tens of thousands of Hindus braved freezing waters on Monday at the confluence of sacred rivers in Prayagraj, India, marking the start of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela festival. This religious event, held once every 12 years, is expected to draw over 400 million visitors from around the world, making it the largest human gathering on the planet.

With as many as 40,000 police officers providing security and surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence to monitor crowds, the authorities are preparing for an influx of visitors. The festival kicked off with the first ritual dip, attracting over 2.5 million people, followed by a "royal bath" reserved for ascetics on Tuesday. Participants believe these baths cleanse them of sins and offer salvation from the cycle of life and death.

Among the crowds, ascetic Hazari Lala Mishra expressed the deep significance of the event, saying it was a festival for hermits and monks. "We wait for it desperately," he added. Many attendees, like Priyanka Rajput, who visited with her spiritual mother, found the experience both exciting and overwhelming.

The origins of the Kumbh Mela trace back to Hindu mythology, where four drops of the nectar of immortality fell to Earth during a celestial battle, marking the festival's locations in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The Maha Kumbh, held once every 12 years, is particularly auspicious, drawing the largest crowds.

To manage the massive influx of people, authorities have set up a temporary city along the riverbanks, featuring 150,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, and 145,000 restrooms. Indian Railways has also increased train services to accommodate festivalgoers. With the festival representing both a religious and cultural celebration, it offers a test in crowd management for the Indian government, which is working to balance logistical efforts with maintaining the event's sacred significance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Hindu nationalist party governs Uttar Pradesh, praised the Kumbh Mela for embodying India’s spiritual heritage, emphasizing the festival’s importance in promoting faith and harmony.

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