Hindu devotees take ritual dips at 'Sangam', confluence of Hindu holy rivers of Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, on the third and last royal bath of the Maha Kumbh festival on occasion of 'Basant Panchami' in Allahabad, India, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are attending the Maha Kumbh festival, which is one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days and falls every 12 years. During the festival pilgrims bathe in the holy Ganges River in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins. (AP Photo/ Saurabh Das)
Naga Sadhus, or Hindu naked holy men, walk in procession after bathing at Sangam, the confluence of the Hindu holy rivers the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, on the third and last royal bath of the Maha Kumbh festival on occasion of Basant Panchami in Allahabad, India, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are attending the Maha Kumbh festival, which is one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days and falls every 12 years. During the festival pilgrims bathe in the holy Ganges River in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins. (AP Photo/ Kevin Frayer)
Thousands of devotees taking bath at the Sangam on the 28th day of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad Thursday. Photo: AP
Foreign devotees celebrate Valentine's Day campaigning "Love Ganga and Clean Environment" at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on Thursday. Photo: PTI
A sadhu drying his clothes after taking a dip in the river Ganga, on the 27th day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Wednesday. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
Devotees return after taking a dip in the river Ganga at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Wednesday. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
A group of tourists enjoying a boat ride in the river Ganga at the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Wednesday. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
Devotees gather at the bank of river Ganga for offering evening prayers during Aarti, at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Wednesday. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
Hindu devotees rest under a giant tree during the Maha Kumbh festival in Allahabad, India , Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are attending the Maha Kumbh festival, which is one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days and falls every 12 years. During the festival pilgrims bathe in the holy Ganges River in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins. (AP Photo/ Saurabh Das)
ALLAHABAD 11/02/2013. --- A young man locate the name of his missing relative form the list at S.R.N. Hospital after yesterday's stampede in the Allahabad Railway Staion at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Monday. Feb. 11, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
A woman seeks blessings from young boys dressed as Lord Ram, left, and his wife Sita during the Maha Kumbh festival in Allahabad, India , Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are attending the Maha Kumbh festival, which is one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days and falls every 12 years. During the festival pilgrims bathe in the holy Ganges River in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins. (AP Photo/ Saurabh Das)
ALLAHABAD 10/02/2013. --- Women sanyasi participating in the religious procession at Sangam,the confluence of rivers Ganga Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, on the occasion of Mauni Amawasya,the third main bahth of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in the morning in Allahabad on Sunday. Feb. 10, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 10/02/2013. --- A sadhu applies chandan on his forehead after taking holy dip at Sangam,the confluence of rivers Ganga Yamuna and mythical Saraswati,on the occasion of Mauni Amawasya,the third main bahth of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in the morning morning in Allahabad on Sunday. Feb. 10, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 10/02/2013. --- Devotees riding on boats as they gathering at Sangam,the confluence of rivers Ganga Yamuna and mythical Saraswati,for taking holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amawasya,the third main bahth of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Sunday. Feb. 10, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 10/02/2013. --- Devotees gathering at Sangam,the confluence of rivers Ganga Yamuna and mythical Saraswati,for taking holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amawasya,the third main bahth of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in the morning morning in Allahabad on Sunday. Feb. 10, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 10/02/2013. --- A naga sadhu participating in the religious procession at Sangam,the confluence of rivers Ganga Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, on the occasion of Mauni Amawasya,the third main bahth of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in the early morning in Allahabad on Sunday. Feb. 10, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 10/02/2013. --- Devotees gathering at Sangam,the confluence of rivers Ganga Yamuna and mythical Saraswati,for taking holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amawasya,the third main bahth of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in the early morning in Allahabad on Sunday. Feb. 10, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 06/02/2013. --- B.J.P. President Rajnath Singh offering Aarti at Bade Hnuman Ji temple after taking dip in the Sangam,confluence of three river Ganga,Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, after arriving at Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Wednesday. Feb. 06, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 06/02/2013. --- Devotees cross river Ganga through temporary pontoon bridge while participating in the religious at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Wednesday. Feb. 06, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 06/02/2013. --- Sadhus taking dip after gathering on the banks of the river Ganga for participate in a ceremony called Deeksha by which they will be initiated as Naga Sadhus at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Wednesday. Feb. 06, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 06/02/2013. --- Foreigners enjoying a boat ride in the river Ganga at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Wednesday. Feb. 06, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 06/02/2013. --- B.J.P. President Rajnath Singh(left) taking dip in the Sangam,confluence of three river Ganga,Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, after arriving at Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Wednesday. Feb. 06, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 05/02/2013. --- Lamps with flower offered to the Ganga by devotees after evening prayer on the banks of the river at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Tuesday. Feb. 05, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 05/02/2013. --- Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth of Puri,Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati,(centre) addressing during a funtion at Triveni Pushpa on the banks of the riverYamuna at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Tuesday. Feb. 05, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 05/02/2013. --- Two foreigner women watering after planting a tree at Triveni Pushpa during a funtion on the banks of the riverYamuna at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Tuesday. Feb. 05, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 05/02/2013. --- Tourists enjoying a boat ride in the river Ganga in the evening at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Tuesday. Feb. 05, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 05/02/2013. --- Devotees performing Ganga Aarti while offering evening prayer on the banks of river Ganga at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Tuesday. Feb. 05, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
A group of the Alakh sadhus go for collecting alms on the 18th day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad. Photo:Brijesh Jaiswal
A group of women from Darjeeling chant hymns while participating in the religious funtion at Himalayan Buddhist Sangam on the banks of river Ganga. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
Tibaten Lamas making a Mandala for performing a traditional ritual at Himalayan Buddhist Sangam during Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Monday
Devotees look at religious paintings which are displayed at the compound of Tirupati Temple's model at the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Day 18. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 03/02/2012. --- Devotees riding on a boat in the river Ganga in the evening at ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Sunday. Feb 03, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 03/02/2012. --- Sadhus stand in a queue for getting Prasad at Om Vahiguru Rishi Ashram on the banks of the river Ganga at ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Sunday. Feb 03, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 03/02/2012. --- A group of Jangam sadhus singing the Bhajan on God Shiva on the banks of the river Ganga at ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Sunday. Feb 03, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
Indian women Hindu devotees take out a religious procession at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Maha Kumbh festival, in Allahabad, India , Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh festival, which is one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days and falls every 12 years. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Allahabad: Sadhus participating in Kalash Yatra of Adinath Akhara at Sangam during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on Friday. PTI Photo(PTI2_1_2013_000054A)
In this Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013 photo, a Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, performs evening rituals at Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh festival, which is one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days and falls every 12 years. During the festival pilgrims bathe in the holy Ganges River in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Hindu holy men of the Juna Akhara sect walk to take dips as they participate in rituals that is believed to rid them of all ties in this life and dedicate themselves to serving God as a 'Naga' or naked holy men, at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna River during the Maha Kumbh festival in Allahabad, India, early Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. The significance of nakedness is that they will not have any worldly ties to material belongings, even something as simple as clothes. This ritual that transforms selected holy men to Naga can only be done at the Kumbh festival. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Tourists enjoying a boat ride in the river Yamuna on Tuesday evening during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
A naga sadhu wearing a cap of Rudraksh at his tent during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
People gathering at Sangam for taking an evening view during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 28/09/2012. --- Villager women stretching their saris in the sun to dry after holy dip in the river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Monday. Jan 28, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 28/09/2012. --- Devotees making their way on pontoon bridges after taking dip in the river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Monday. Jan 28, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 28/09/2012. --- A young girl enjoying a biscuit while dressed as God krishna forbegging at the bank of river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Monday. Jan 28, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 28/09/2012. --- A devotee carrying an idol of God Krishna on her head for performing rituals at the bank of river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Monday. Jan 28, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
Lakhs of devotees on Sunday took a holy dip at the Sangam on the auspicious occasion of ‘Paush Poornima’ during the ongoing Maha kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
’Paush Poornima’ marks the beginning of a month-long ‘Kalpvaas’ - penance by devotees at the banks of the Ganga. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
Braving cold weather, devotees walking several miles since early morning, to reach the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 26/01/2013. --- A group of Dandi Sanyasi participating in the religious procsesion at the bank of river Ganga during the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Saturday. Jan. 26, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 26/01/2013. --- A sadhu blowing a traditional instrument at the bank of river Ganga during the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Saturday. Jan. 26, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 25/01/2013. --- Devotees taking dip in the river Ganga in the evening during the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Friday. Jan. 25, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 25/01/2013. --- Young priests offering prayers while participating in the evening 'Aarti' at the bank of river Yamuna during the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Friday. Jan. 25, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 25/01/2013. --- A group of devotees arriving at Sangam,the confluence of rivers Ganga,Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, for taking holy dip in the evening during Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Friday. Jan. 25, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 24/01/2013. --- Workers busy for constructing a replica of Tirupati temple which will open for devotees on Saturday at the bank of river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Thursday. Jan. 24, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
Labourers warming themselves while they sit near a fire at the bank of river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
A sadhu offering prayer at the bank of river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
A sadhu applying chandan on his forehead after taking dip in the river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
A diver try to fight the cold wave while sitting on a boat during his duty in the morning at Sangam ,the confluence of rivers Ganga,Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
A volunteer of Bharat Sevashram Sangh carrying First Aid Box during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
A priest applying chandan on his forehead after taking dip in the river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
A sadhu applying chandan on his forehead after taking dip in the river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 22/01/2013. --- A sadhu offering prayer at the bank of river Ganga dring Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Tuesday. Jan. 22, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 22/01/2013. --- Tourists enjoying boats riding at Sangam,the confluence of rivers Ganga,Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, in the evening during Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Tuesay. Jan. 22, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 22/01/2013. --- Two seagulsl swimming in the water of river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad on Tuesay. Jan. 22, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 22/01/2013. --- A three years old boy playing with his caretaker sadhu at the bank of river Ganga dring Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Tuesday. Jan. 22, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 22/01/2013. --- Tourists enjoying a boat riding at Sangam,the confluence of rivers Ganga,Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, in the evening during Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Tuesay. Jan. 22, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 19/01/2013. --- Devotees using temporary pontoon bridges which stretching across the Ganga River during Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Saturday. Jan. 18, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 19/01/2013. --- A priest preparing chandan for devotees at the bank of river Ganga during Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Saturday. Jan. 18, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
ALLAHABAD 19/01/2013. --- Devotees riding on boats in the river Yamuna as they returning after taking holy dip at Sangam,the confluence of rivers Ganga,Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Saturday. Jan. 18, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
Indian Hindu holy men, or Sadhus, are silhouetted as they celebrate in the water at Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the royal bath on Makar Sankranti at the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in the large religious congregation that lasts more than 50 days on the banks of Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in January 2013, which falls every 12th year. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)
ALLAHABAD 14/01/2013. --- Devotees gathering at Sangam for taking bath on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankaranti and also starting of Maha Kumbh Mela , in Allahabad on Monday. Jan. 14, 2013. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal
Devotees take a dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati as others cross a make shift bridge, on one of the most auspicious day Makar Sankranti, the first day of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: AP
Devotees riding on boats as they are gathering at Sangam for taking bath on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankaranti and also starting of Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: Brijesh Jaiswal