Hindus gather for Maha Kumbh Mela

ALLAHABAD, INDIA - FEBRUARY 08: A Sadhu, Hindu holy man, paints mud onto his forehead during an initiation ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river during the Maha Kumbh Mela on February 8, 2013 in Allahabad, India. The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Kumbh Mela alternates between... more 

ALLAHABAD, INDIA - FEBRUARY 08: A Sadhu, Hindu holy man, paints mud onto his forehead during an initiation ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river during the Maha Kumbh Mela on February 8, 2013 in Allahabad, India. The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The Maha Kumbh Mela celebrated at Sangam, is the largest and holiest, celebrated over 55 days, and is expected to attract over 100 million pilgrims who will bathe in holy waters to wash away their sins. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) less