Sangam style: Kumbh mela welcomes world's largest gathering of Hindu devotees - in pictures

Naked holy men dance and wave in a procession before taking their ritual dip Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Holy men get ready in their tents before participating in the holy bath at Sangam Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Naked devotees painted with ash and wearing garlands of marigolds wait in line before taking a bath in the holy waters Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Many different Hindu sects come together to take the ritual bath at Sangam Photograph: Saurabh Das/AP

Men from the Niranjani sect take part in a procession before their ritual dip at Sangam Photograph: Saurabh Das/AP

Devotees arrive early for their ritual bath in the Sangam Photograph: Manish Swarup/AP

Members of a marching band rest before playing in a procession on the banks of the river Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Hindu devotees watch naked sadhus walk in a procession to take their ritual dip Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Devotees bathe in the holy waters of Sangam Photograph: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images

Hindu pilgrims make their way over pontoon bridges near Sangam Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Naked holy men have their skin painted with ashes for the ritual bath Photograph: Harish Tyagi/EPA

Sadhvis (holy women) arrive in a procession for their bath Photograph: Harish Tyagi/EPA

Millions of devotees make their way to bathe in the waters at Sangam Photograph: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images

Thousands of naked holy men walk towards the holy waters Photograph: Saurabh Das/AP

A trident - a symbol of the Hindu god Shiva - is held aloft by sadhus who have taken their ritual dip Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

A devotee returns after his ritual dip Photograph: Saurabh Das/AP