400 million pilgrims travel to Prayagraj to celebrate the festival which is themed after the city's founding story, with over 20 million expected to take part in the baths over a 45 day period.

Credits: Pexels; Author: @ebrubodyy;

The main ritual of the event involves bathing at the confluence of the Ganges River and the mythical Saraswati River. It's believed by Hindus that bathing cleanses someone of their sins and liberates them from the cycle of birth and death.