Start of Hinduism's big festival

Hundreds of thousands of Hindus in northern India have begun the most important festival of their faith, the Kumbh Mela.

Millions more are expected over the next forty days, taking part in ceremonies to symbolically wash away their sins at the confluence of the Ganges and two other rivers near the city of Allahabad.

The site is considered particularly holy by Hindus.

Kumbh Mela is celebrated only every twelve years, by Hindus from all over India and many other parts of the world.

A temporary city set up to accommodate the pilgrimm has its own essential supplies such as water, electricity and sanitation, as well as security measures.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service