I visited Allahabad in North India on a cold morning in 2013 to witness an amazing phenomenon.

The largest gathering ever in human history happened this year in 2013 ? the Kumbh Mela festival which is celebrated only once every 12 years. A staggering 100 million people descended on the city of Allahabad by the shores of the Ganges River through the 55 day festival season, with 10 million having bathed in the Ganges just on the opening day alone.

So why did 100 million people spend 120 billion rupees to bathe in the Ganges river? One devotee from Nepal reported to the BBC that ?I have washed off my sins?.

Reuters reports that 'I wash away all my sins, from this life and before,' said wandering ascetic , shivering naked in the cold.

This does not happen every day, not even every year. And when it happens you got to be there to experience it and take a dip in the Hindus holy river of Ganges to wash away you sins! I did it. It was a great experience.

Camera: Canon SX130IS, handheld, image slightly cropped and resized to FAR requirements.
Enjoy!