Over 6 weeks from January 13, 350-400 million Hindu pilgrims will converge on the Ganges. Many will bathe in its waters to achieve salvation The world's largest gathering of humanity begins in India on January 13 with the opening of the Kumbh Mela,

Organisers of India's Kumbh Mela have prepared to host a staggering 400 million devotees at the six-week Hindu festival that starts Monday and is expected to be the largest human gathering in history.

More than 40 crore devotees are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, from January 13 to February 26. The religious gathering, which dates back to the eighth century, has only grown in scale and popularity.

The world's largest gathering of humanity begins in India on Monday with the opening of the Kumbh Mela, a six-week Hindu festival organisers expect to attract up to 400 million pilgrims. The last celebration at the site,