largest religious gathering on earth

Sadhus or holy man run into the Sangham or the confluence of the the Yamuna and Ganges rivers during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 14, 2013. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims led by naked, ash-covered holy men streamed into the sacred river Ganges on Monday at the start of the world's biggest religious festival. The Kumbh Mela in the Indian town of Allahabad will see up to 100 million worshippers gather over the next 55 days to take a ritual bath in the holy waters, believed to cleanse sins and bestow blessings. Before daybreak on Monday, a day chosen by astrologers as auspicious, hundreds of gurus, some brandishing swords and tridents, ran into the swirling and freezing waters for the first bath, signalling the start of events.

Sadhu (holy men) march on the street during Kumbh Mela, the largest Hindu gathering in the world, February 12, 2010 in Haridwar, India. Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges during the festival cleanses them of sin.

Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti of the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 14, 2013 in Allahabad, India. The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and  the mythical Saraswati. The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The Maha Kumbh Mela celebrated at the holy site of Sangam in Allahabad, is the largest and holiest, celebrated over 55 days, it is expected to attract over 100 million people.

Sadhu (holy men) smoke during Kumbh Mela, the largest Hindu gathering in the world, February 12, 2010 in Haridwar, India. Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges during the festival cleanses them of sin. (Photo by Kuni Takahashi/Getty Images)Sadhu (holy men) smoke during Kumbh Mela, the largest Hindu gathering in the world, February 12, 2010 in Haridwar, India. Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges during the festival cleanses them of sin.

Hindu holy men, also known as "Sadhus", take part in a procession to attend the "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, in the northern Indian city of Allahabad December 18, 2012. During the festival, hundreds of thousands of Hindus take part in a religious gathering at the banks of the river Ganges. The festival is held every 12 years in different Indian cities.

TOPSHOTS An ash smeared Hindu Sadhu or holy man speaks with a young boy beside a tent at the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati in Allahabad on December 31, 2012, ahead of The Maha Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh Mela, which is scheduled to take place in the northern Indian city in January and February 2013, is the world's largest gathering of people for a religious purpose and millions of people gather for this auspicious occasion.

Indian Naga Sadhus - holy men - of Shri Panchayati Anand Akhara participate in a religious procession as the first "royal entry" for the Kumbh Mela at Sangam in Allahabad on January 6, 2013. The Kumbh Mela, which is scheduled to take place in the northern Indian city in January and February 2013, is the world's largest gathering of people for a religious purpose and millions of people gather for this auspicious occasion. AFP PHOTO/Sanjay KANOJIA
Indian Naga Sadhus - holy men - of Shri Panchayati Anand Akhara participate in a religious procession as the first "royal entry" for the Kumbh Mela at Sangam in Allahabad on January 6, 2013. The Kumbh Mela, which is scheduled to take place in the northern Indian city in January and February 2013, is the world's largest gathering of people for a religious purpose and millions of people gather for this auspicious occasion.

Hindu holy men or sadhus arrive at Sangam to participate in the upcoming Maha Kumbh Festival, in Allahabad on December 2, 2012. The Kumbh Mela is the largest gathering of people for a religious purpose in the world and millions of people gather for this auspicious occasion

A human skull is pictured as a Hindu holy man prepares for a ritual after his arrival at Sangam to participate in the upcoming Maha Kumbh Festival, in Allahabad on December 7, 2012. The Kumbh Mela is the largest gathering of people for a religious purpose in the world and millions of people gather for this auspicious occasion.

Hindu holy men, also known as "Sadhus", perform prayers for a peaceful "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, on the banks of the river Ganges in the northern Indian city of Allahabad December 17, 2012. During the festival, hundreds of thousands of Hindus take part in a religious gathering at the banks of the river Ganges. The festival is held every 12 years in different Indian cities

A Hindu boy reacts to the camera as he and Hindu holy men, also known as "Sadhus", take part in a procession to attend the "Kumbh Mela", or Pitcher Festival, in the northern Indian city of Allahabad December 18, 2012. During the festival, hundreds of thousands of Hindus take part in a religious gathering at the banks of the river Ganges. The festival is held every 12 years in different Indian cities.

Tents are set up in an Indian camp of sadhus on the banks of “Sangam,” the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, for the upcoming one-month-long Maha Kumbh festival in Allahabad in Allahabad on December 20, 2012. The Kumbh Mela, which is scheduled to take place in the northern Indian city in January and February 2013, is the world's largest gathering of people for a religious purpose and millions of people gather for this auspicious occasion.

Sadhus or Hindu Holy men bathe on the banks of the Ganges river in Haridwar, India. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees are expected for the Kumbh Mela, hailed to be the largest religious gathering in the world. The Kumbh mela is celebrated every three years and rotates among four Indian cities

Naga Sadhus or naked Hindu Holy men bathe on the banks of the Ganges river in Haridwar, India.

Hindu Holy Men smoke hashish in a camp near the banks of the Ganges river in Haridwar, India.

A Sadhu or Hindu Holy Man gives blessings to a Hindu devotee in a Sadhu camp near the banks of the Ganges river in Haridwar, India. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees are expected for the Kumbh Mela, hailed as the largest religious gathering in the world.

Sadhus or Hindu Holy Men march in procession asking for food and donations in a residential area near the banks of the Ganges river in Haridwar, India. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees are expected for the Kumbh Mela, hailed as the largest religious gathering in the world. The Kumbh mela is celebrated every three years and rotates among four Indian cities.

A Naga Sadhu or Naked Hindu Holy Man smokes hashish in a camp near the banks of the Ganges river in Haridwar, India. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees are expected for the Kumbh Mela, hailed as the largest religious gathering in the world. The Kumbh mela is celebrated every three years and rotates among four Indian cities.

A Hindu priest performs the morning Ganga Arti Puja or Ganges morning prayer before sunrise on the banks of the Ganges river in Haridwar, India. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees are expected for the Kumbh Mela, hailed to be the largest religious gathering in the world. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated every three years and rotates among four Indian cities

A Hindu priest sits next to a statue of the God Hanuman waiting for offerings on the banks of the Ganges river in Haridwar, India. Daniel Berehulak

Naga Sadhus or naked Hindu Holy men bathe on the banks of the Ganges river in Haridwar, India. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees are expected for the Kumbh Mela, hailed to be the largest religious gathering in the world. The Kumbh mela is celebrated every three years and rotates among four Indian cities