In 2001, more than 40 million people gathered on the main bathing day of the festival, breaking a record for the biggest human gathering.

BBC: India

Pilgrims believe that by attending the festival and bathing in the waters of the rivers that run through Allahabad or the other host cities, they will cleanse away their sins and bring salvation.

BBC: India hosts the world��s biggest gathering

Participants also ward off evil during the festival by bathing in flower-scented water, wearing five-colour silk, hanging plants such as moxa and calamus over their doors, and pasting paper cut-outs in their windows.

UNESCO: Culture

Although people bathe every day throughout the festival, there are three especially holy days when bathing brings even greater merit.

BBC: India hosts the world��s biggest gathering