Naked Hindu ascetics and pilgrims are taking holy dips in sacred rivers in the first major bathing day of the Maha Kumbh festival, which is the largest religious congregation on Earth.

Lakhs of devotees led by members of various 'akharas' took a dip in the Triveni Sangam here on the occasion of 'Makar Sankranti' on Tuesday to mark the first 'Amrit Snan' of the Maha Kumbh. While the the first major 'snan' of the Maha Kumbh was held on Monday on the occasion of 'Paush Purnima',

By Saurabh Sharma PRAYAGRAJ, India (Reuters) -Naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the waters of sacred rivers in India on Tuesday, part of a large crowd of 35 million devotees who took the holy dip on the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela,

Authorities in India say more than 20 million people are expected to take part in the first major bathing day at the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela (also known as the Mahakumbh), in the northern city of Prayagraj.