Maha Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious congregation, commenced on Monday in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj district as a huge gathering of devotees took a dip in the Ganga river on the first 'Shahi Snan' on the occasion of Pauh Purnima.
The 45-day Maha Kumbh, happening after a gap of 144 years, will take place on the Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati rivers and over 45 crore devotees are expected to visit the event.
