Millions of people bathe at Sangam in what is billed as the world's biggest religious gathering.

BBC: Kumbh Mela festival

But it had no permission to fly over Sangam - where the rivers meet - and take pictures.

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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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After bathing at sangam, people fill up plastic bottles, jars, and pots with the river water to take it home with them.

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He may not be sure about his age, but he is clear about the reasons that bring him to Allahabad and Sangam every Kumbh Mela.

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Mr Turner has cherished his dream of ferrying pilgrims at Sangam since 1989, when as a 21-year-old backpacker in India he visited that year's Kumbh festival.

BBC: Kumbh Mela festival

Andrew Turner has built the boat and is ferrying pilgrims for free at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, where the festival is held.

BBC: Kumbh Mela festival

An estimated 30 million Hindus took a dip Sunday at the Sangam the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Saraswati rivers as part of the 55-day Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival.

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Ms Leyre, who took the monastic name of Sangam Giri, was the first initiate who chose all her gurus - a Naga monk has five gurus that he or she can choose - from among women.

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It is a wonderful spectacle, a great demonstration of the variety and vigour of Hinduism, an occasion to preach politics and conduct business, but there would be no Kumbh Mela were it not for the faith that draws millions of pilgrims to the Sangam in Allahabad.

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