Pilgrims on row boats during the Kumbh Mela 2013 Hindu festival near Allahabad (India)

Thousands of pilgrims take small row boats to reach the Sangam, where they take the holy bath. The river boats go around the impressive Allahabad Fort which is just upstream from the Sangam.

The Triveni Sangam is the confluence of the Yamuna and the Ganga (Ganges) rivers, and this is the holiest place to take the ritual baths during the Kumbh Mela.

Kumbh Mela is the largest festival on Earth, taking place once every 12 years, with more than 50 million Hindu pilgrims gathering to pray and bathe in the holy Ganges river.

For more photos and info about the Kumbh Mela festival, read the album description.