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Kumba Mela: Indian Hindu Sadhus or holy men line up as they join a procession that will take them to the waters of the Sangham for a dip during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: AFP/Sanjay Kanojia Source: AFP

MILLIONS of Hindu pilgrims have gathered beside the river Ganges to bathe and celebrate during the gigantic Kumba Mela festival, held every 12 years.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on Earth, is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

Kumba Mela: Indian Sadhu or holy man shows off his long dreds during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Photo: AFP/Sanjay Kanojia

The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years.

Kumbh Mela: Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Kumbh Mela: Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Simon Crerar is News Limited's Visual Story Editor, follow him at twitter.com/simoncrerar

Kumbh Mela: Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious royal bathing day of Makar Sankranti, the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

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100m devotees at world's largest festival