Kumbh Mela 2021: India is a land of many cultures, traditions, and festivals. The country play host to the grandest and largest religious festival- Kumbh Mela, where people from different walks of life gather to take a holy dip in the river. Kumbh Mela takes place once every 12 years, this time the major pilgrimage festival will begin from January 14 and continue till April 27 in Haridwar.

Haridwar: Hindu pilgrims flocked to the Ganga river on Wednesday, shrugging off the risk of coronavirus a day before the start of the Kumbh Mela - a religious festival that attracts millions each time it is held.
Despite India having the second most coronavirus infections in the world - and more than 150,000 deaths - the virus has not stopped devout Hindus from making the pilgrimage.

"The pandemic is a bit of a worry, but we are taking all precautions," said organizer Siddharth Chakrapani, who expected between 8,00,000 to 10 lakh people to attend on Thursday alone.

"I'm sure Maa Ganga will take care of their safety," he added.

According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a war over a sacred pitcher containing the nectar of immortality. Drops fell at four different locations, which now alternate as hosts for the immense gatherings.

Recognized as a cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2017, the last Kumbh Mela in Allahabad in 2019 attracted around 55 million people over 48 days.

This year, beginning Thursday, Haridwar is the host, and several million people were expected to throng the holy city in Uttarakhand over the coming seven weeks.