The Maha Kumbh festival, the largest religious congregation on Earth, is underway in Prayagraj, India. Millions of Hindus are taking dips in freezing water at the confluence of three rivers to attain salvation. The ritual has its roots in a Hindu tradition that says the god Vishnu wrested a golden pitcher containing the nectar of immortality from demons.
According to the Hindu belief, a few drops of this nectar fell on four sacred cities: Prayagraj, Nasik, Ujjain, and Haridwar. These cities have been hosting the festival in rotation for centuries. Thousands of devotees are expected to participate, with nearly 400 million people attending the event.
During the festival, Hindu ascetics charge toward the holy rivers at dawn, repeating a centuries-old ritual that is believed to cleanse them of their sins and release them from the cycle of rebirth. The festival began on January 13 and will conclude on February 26, taking place every day but with an added significance on auspicious dates.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/india-maha-kumbh-festival-hinduism-eabae43c47e581e5906e57087355026d