The largest religious gathering¹ anywhere on earth gets under way Tuesday, with tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims congregating² in India to bathe in sacred rivers for the Kumbh Mela.

 

世界上最大的宗教集会活动“大壶节”周二在印度展开，数以千万计的印度教朝圣者沐浴在圣水中。
 

 

Organisers are expecting the enormous spiritual festival in Allahabad to attract more than 100 million devotees over the next 48 days, with seas of pilgrims camped by the riverside.

 

The ancient city in northern Uttar Pradesh state rises alongside the banks of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical³ Saraswati rivers.

 

The confluence⁴ of the three -- known as Sangam -- is considered especially holy and Hindus believe bathing there during the Kumbh helps cleanse⁵ sins and brings salvation⁶.

 

"This pilgrimage gives me peace of mind and an opportunity to reflect on my life," said Sangeeta Gangotri, a pilgrim who travelled 650 kilometres (403 miles) from Nagpur in western Maharashtra state to Allahabad.

 

The riverbank has transformed into a riot of noise and colour.

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