Indian Army Commando soldiers at the Kumbh Mela 2013 festival near Allahabad (India).

The intimidating Indian military security forces (Elite Commandos) were helping baton-equipped Police doing crowd control.

Sadhus and Hindu devotees converge toward the Ganges river to take the Holy bath at 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.

This was the morning of Kumbh Maha Snan or main bathing day, also called Mauni Amavasya, which is the the most auspicious morning for taking the holy bath in the Ganges river.

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.