Kumbh Mela 2019

The Kumbh Mela is is regarded as the world's largest religious congregation, in 2019 drawing more than 100 million pilgrims and spectators to the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and the invisible Sarasvati rivers at Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), where Sadhus (holy men) bathed on the morning of 04th February. This is believd to cleanse a person of their sins. Four congregations are recognized as Kumbh Melas, these are held every 12 years by rotation in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain of India. According to medieval Hinduism, Lord Vishnu spilled drops of Amrita (the drink of immortality) at these four places while transporting it in a kumbha (pot). The Kumbh Mela is included in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.