The Magh Mela a smaller version of the Kumbh Mela attracts thousand of Hindus from around the world which culminates in a month celebration.
The religious gathering held every third year at one of four locations by rotation, this year begins on January 5 and ends on February 17 2015.
Devotees of the religion can be seen preparing for a holy dip and daily rituals at the banks of the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
Bathing in these rivers is thought to cleanse one's sins. This mass congregation of individuals is considered to be one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world.
Kumbh Mela
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Hindu devotees gearing up for the dip and daily rituals on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti during the annual Magh Mela gathering at the bank of Sangam. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
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Devotees arrive at Prayag Junction for arrive to Sangam on the eve of 'Mauni Amavasya', the main bathing day during Magh Mela. (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
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View of tents installed by devotees at Sangam on the eve of 'Mauni Amavasya' the main bathing day during Magh Mela. (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
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Indian Hindu devotees gather to take a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The devotees gathered to observe rituals for 'Mauni Amavasya' or new moon day, considered the most auspicious date of bathing during the annual month long Hindu religious fair 'Magh Mela'. (credit:SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images)
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Indian Hindu devotees rest at the Sangam. (credit:SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images)
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Makeshift tents of Hindu devotees are seen at the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, on the eve of 'Mauni Amavasya' or new moon day. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Indian Hindu devotees prepare to take a holy dip at the Sangam. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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An elderly Indian Hindu devotee carries his grandson oh his shoulder as he and others arrive at the Sangam. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Thousands of Indian Hindu devotees gather to perform rituals at the Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges and Yamuna, on "Mauni Amavasya," or new moon day, the third and the most auspicious date of bathing during the annual month long Hindu religious fair "Magh Mela" in Allahabad, India. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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An Indian woman shows her child makeshift tents of Hindu devotees at the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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An Indian Hindu devotee prays at the Sangam. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Indian Hindu devotees walk across a pontoon bridge at the Sangam. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Hindu devotees stand on a temporary pontoon on the Sangam. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Thousands of Indian Hindu devotees walk across a pontoon bridge for a holy dip at Sangam. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A Hindu pilgrim performs evening rituals at the Sangam. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Indian Hindu pilgrims warm themselves around a bonfire at the Sangam. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Indian Hindu devotees gather to take a holy dip at Sangam. (credit:SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images)
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Indian Hindu devotees walk across a pontoon bridge at the Sangam. (credit:SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images)
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(credit:SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images)
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Indian Hindu devotees prepare to bathe at Sangam. (credit:SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images)
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Indian Hindu women devotees dry their cloths after taking a holy dip. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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An Indian holy man returns after taking a holy dip at Sangam. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Devotees crossing at the temporary pontoon bridge on river Ganga to arrive Sangam on the eve of 'Mauni Amavasya' the main bathing day during Magh Mela. (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
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Indian Hindu priests and devotees take part in an evening prayer ritual known as Arti. (credit:SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images)
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Indian Hindu devotees arrive during a cold and foggy morning to take a holy dip for the Makar Sankranti. (credit:SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images)
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Indian Hindu devotees take a holy dip for the Makar Sankranti festival. (credit:SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images)
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Hindu devotees gearing up for the dip and daily rituals on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. (credit:Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
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Pilgrims sit around fire to keep themselves warm in the wee hours. Many of them have to camp under the open sky at night at Gangasagar Island due to shortage of temporary tents. Every year thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over India flock to Gangasagar mela (fair) on Sagar Island in southern part of West Bengal to take holy dip at the confluence of river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal on the day of 'Makar Sankranti' in the winter and pay offerings to Kapil Muni temple. It is a major site of Hindu pilgrimage and considered second to Kumbh mela. (Photo by Subhendu Sarkar/LightRocket via Getty Images) (credit:Subhendu Sarkar via Getty Images)
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A Hindu woman devotee holds an oil lamp and offers prayers to the Sun god after taking a holy dip. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Indian Hindu devotees walk across a pontoon bridge to arrive at the Sangam. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Indian Hindu devotees arrive during a cold and foggy morning to take a holy dip for the Makar Sankranti festival during the annual 'Magh Mela'. (credit:SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images)