© Claudio Mantovani, Nagas

Kumbh Mela is a massive pilgrimage in which Hindus gather at the Ganges river and it happens four times, in four different Indian cities every twelve years. In 2010 the holy city of Haridwar hosted the Purna Kumbha Mela where approximately 10 million Hindu pilgrims bathed in the Ganges. 

The major event of the festival is the big bath day where the nagas, India's famed naked holy men, lead a procession that ends at the river banks for the ritual bathing.

Religious sects, gurus, vendors and beggars celebrate the largest gathering of people for a religious purpose in the world.

Official Opening Event on Tuesday 24 May, 5pm