MAHA KUMBHA,ARDH KUMBH-World's largest religious gatherings,an estimated one million devotees took the ritualistic bath on the first day

As one of the world's largest religious gatherings got under way, an estimated one million devotees took the ritualistic bath on the first day. The continuing cold wave in northern India failed to dampen the spirits of the devotees.

Hindu priests perform evening prayers on the banks of the river Ganges on Makar Sankranti, one of the Kumbh Mela festival's main bathing days, in Haridwar

A sadhu gestures while taking a bath on the banks of river Ganges in Haridwar

About one million pilgrims took the holy dip on the opening day of the three-month-long Kumbh Mela at Haridwar

Hindu priests perform evening prayers on the banks of the river Ganges on Makar Sankranti

Hindu devotees gather to take a dip in the Ganges river on the first day of the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar

A family offers prayers while taking a dip in the River Ganges on the first day of the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar

A policeman watches over people taking a dip in the River Ganges on the first day of the Kumbh Mela. The security measures for the mela have been so tough that even 'akharas' or religious orders have been advised to issue identity cards to their sadhus

A boat is seen on the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, as temporary tents set up for pilgrims are seen in the background, during the Makar Sankranti festival, in Allahabad

Sadhus take dips in the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad on Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of devout Hindus take a bath at the confluence during the astronomically auspicious period over 30 days, celebrated as 'Magh Mela', to rid themselves of their sins and attain prosperity

Hindu devotees bathe in a natural hot water spring, near the banks of the Sutlej River on Makar Sankranti , at Tattapani, about 52 kilometers from Shimla

Hindu devotees bathe in a natural hot water spring, near the banks of the Sutlej River on Makar Sankranti at Tattapani, about 52 kilometers from Shimla

The district administration has also increased the number of CCTV cameras besides ensuring deployment of large number of police personnel including commandos and bomb disposal squads

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