India’s largest religious festivity, which is celebrated once in every twelve years, has kicked off. Millions of faithful perform the “bathing ceremony,” in India’s holy Ganges River, to wash away their bodies and spirits.  

Around fifty million are expected to visit the holy sites. 

The Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, is linked to Hindu mythology. According to legend, a few drops of the drink of immortality had fallen in four cities, and, now, the pilgrims visit these cities in succession, Vesti.ru reports.     

The Kumbh Mela is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, and it lasts fifty-five days.