India kicks off a massive Hindu festival touted as the world's largest religious gathering

Millions of Hindu devotees gather in Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh festival, a religious gathering at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers to cleanse sins and achieve salvation. The festival, rooted in Hindu tradition, rotates among four pilgrimage sites every three years and is a test for Indian authorities in managing crowds and showcasing Hindu nationalism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The event, expected to draw 400 million people, features tight security measures, special trains, a tent city with amenities, and a focus on promoting Hindu cultural symbols.

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