Maha Kumbh Mela

The 2013 event is a Maha Kumbh Mela - and that takes place only every 144 years.

What do you make of householders turned austere pilgrims who live in tatty canvas tents

on a flood plain of a river braving regular baths in freezing water, biting cold, smoky skies

and ear-splitting din for more than a month ?

Tens of millions of people - 30 million on the main bathing day on Sunday -

bound by faith that a dip at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna river

will get rid of their sins - throng the event.