The sadhus, many of them naked, dreadlocked and smeared in ash, ran to the river amid heavy security.

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Throughout Sunday, millions of pilgrims and holy men (sadhus) belonging to various Hindu monastic orders bathed at Sangam.

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But there is much more to the Mela than shahi snaan and naga sadhus (sacred dips and naked ascetics).

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The assembled holy men or sadhus represented various religious orders but the dreadlocked, naked Naga sadhus were the most visible.

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By noon, more than 50, 000 sadhus had taken the dip.

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As the auspicious moment for the ritual dip drew closer, sadhus rushed towards the waters, chanting sacred passages, shouting religious slogans and singing and dancing, before throwing themselves into the river.

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The Kumbh Mela brings together Hindus of all castes and creeds, but its most famous attendees are the sadhus (wandering Hindu holy men who have renounced caste, money, possessions and social position).

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On each of the main bathing days they lead the dawn charge to the river, but always at the very front come the nagas (sadhus who have renounced virtually everything, including clothing).

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