Lakhs of devotees descend into Ganges for the holy dip, during the world's largest religious fair, the Kumbh Mela, on the auspicious occasion of Poyush Poornima, in Allahabad. Pilgrims in large ... more 

Lakhs of devotees descend into Ganges for the holy dip, during the world's largest religious fair, the Kumbh Mela, on the auspicious occasion of Poyush Poornima, in Allahabad. Pilgrims in large numbers gathered at the bank of the River Ganges to purify their souls, as they immersed themselves in the chilly waters early morning on the special occasion today. Along with the pilgrims, a large number of saints took the holy dip and performed special prayers. The Paush Poornima is considered a special occasion to take holy dip in the Ganges as it is believed that the gods descend to the earthly realms on this day and it is very much rewarding. Once every 12 years, tens of millions of pilgrims stream to Allahabad from across India for the Maha Kumbh Mela at the point where the Ganges and Yamuna rivers meet with a third, mythical river. less