Kumbh Mela Festival Begins

ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 14: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image contains nudity.) Naga Sadhus take a holy dip at Sangam, confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythological Saraswati rivers on the occasion of 'Makar Sankranti' the first royal bathing day of Kumbh Mela on January 14, 2025 in Allahabad, India. Kumbh Mela in 2025 is a Maha Kumbh, which is a significant Hindu festival celebrated once every 144 years at Prayagraj (Allahabad). Scheduled from January 13 to February 26, 2025, it attracts millions of devotees for ritual bathing at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers, marking a unique spiritual occasion with enhanced significance compared to regular Kumbh Mela. (Photo by Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images)