Millions are expected to attend this year's two-month festival, which began in mid-July and runs until the end of September.

Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. Bathing in sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh festival, or Pitcher Festival, believers say rids them of their sins.

(Pictures AP)