As many as 8.5 million people bathed at the Sangam in Allahabad on Makar Sankranti day on January 14, which marked the beginning of the 55 day Kumbh festival. Unofficial estimates put the number of devotees who offered prayers at the ghats at over 10 million
Photographs by: Avikal Somvanshi
What the teeming crowds left behind after washing off their sins
Photographs by: Avikal Somvanshi
Sadhus and common people thronged the ghats throughout the day
Photographs by: Meeta Ahlawat
Boats wallow in the muck left behind
Photographs by: Avikal Somvanshi
Photographs by: Meeta Ahlawat
As the sun set, artificial lights hid much of the filth from sight, though not the stench
Photographs by: Meeta Ahlawat
Photographs by: Meeta Ahlawat
Prayer for salvation
Photographs by: Avikal Somvanshi
Awaiting another sunrise
Photographs by: Avikal Somvanshi
Boatmen say there was a time when it was difficult to move the oars because of the presence of large number of migratory birds at the Kumbh. This year there were hardly any birds to be seen
Photographs by: Meeta Ahlawat