In the next six weeks, around 450 million Hindus are expected to participate in the mass bathing ritual, marking this grand celebration held every 12 years.

Kumbh Mela’s central ritual involves mass bathing in holy rivers, which devotees believe cleanses them of sins, liberates them from the cycle of reincarnation, and brings salvation. The procession often features naked ascetic priests, known as naga sadhus, who are smeared with ash.

Prayagraj, a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, has been preparing for the highly anticipated pilgrimage. New power lines have been installed and the government has spent around 765 million USD on infrastructure. The festival is estimated to consume as much electricity as 100,000 urban homes in a month.