In Pics | Kumbh Mela: Where sea of humans descends for a holy dip

Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs Ganga 'Aarti', in Prayagraj.

A Naga Sadhu or naked Hindu holy man rides a horse as he participates in a procession near Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Naga Sadhus or a Hindu holy men of Juna Akhara take out a procession toward Sangam at the confluence of rivers Ganges and Yamuna during the first 'royal entry' for the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

A Naga Sadhu or a naked Hindu holy man dances holding a sword during a procession toward Sangam in the confluence of rivers Ganges and Yamuna on the first 'royal entry' for the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Head of June Akhara Swami Avdeshanand, center left, sits among Naga Sadhus or a Hindu holy men after a procession toward Sangam at the confluence of rivers Ganges and Yamuna during the first 'royal entry' for the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Superintendent of Police K.P. Singh, center left, Kumbh Mela officer Vijay Kiran Anand, center, and Allahabad Commissioner Ashish Goyal, second right, welcome head of June Akhara Swami Avdeshanand during a procession toward Sangam at the confluence of rivers Ganges and Yamuna on the first 'royal entry' for the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

A Naga Sadhu or a naked Hindu holy man arrives at the confluence of rivers Ganges and Yamuna for the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Indian artists from Promocare Group work on a sadhu portrait on the pillar of Rambagh flyover being created as part of the 'Paint My City' project ahead of Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad.

Maha Kumbh Mela at twilight at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati ,in Allahabad.

A Naga Sadhu or naked Hindu holy man rides a horse as he participates in a procession near Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Naga Sadhus or naked Hindu holy men ride on an elephant as they participate in a procession near Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

An Indian Sadhu or Hindu holy man watches fellow Sadhus participating in a procession near Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Naga Sadhus or naked Hindu holy men ride on an elephant past a giant hoarding of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a procession towards Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Indian Sadhus or Hindu holy men participate in a religious procession towards Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Naga Sadhus or naked Hindu holy men ride on an elephant as they participate in a procession near Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Municipal workers walk past a wall painted with pictures of Hindu gods as part of the 'Paint My City' project ahead of Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad.

Sadhus or Hindu holy men hoist a flag as part of a ritual which marks the beginning of their camp ahead of Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Members of an Indian band perform during flag hoisting ceremony of a camp for Sadhus or Hindu holy men as part of a ritual ahead of Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Members of an Indian band perform during flag hoisting ceremony of a camp for Sadhus or Hindu holy men as part of a ritual ahead of Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel take their positions during a mock drill to deal with any terrorist attack ahead of Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Members of disaster management lie as injured during a mock drill to deal with any terrorist attack ahead of Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

A Sadhu or Hindu holy man walks at Sangam the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati river on a cold and foggy morning ahead of Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

A Sadhu or Hindu holy man performs a morning ritual at Sangam the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati river ahead of Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

A Hindu devotee prays early morning against the backdrop of an illuminated railway bridge across the river Yamuna ahead of the upcoming Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad.

A person looks at an illuminated railway bridge across the river Yamuna ahead of the upcoming Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad.