One of the World’s Largest Pilgrimages

India has the largest population of Hindus. Massive pilgrimages are held on their four sacred Rivers. One of the largest festivals is Kumbh Mela. In 2019, two hundred million people took part in the celebrations. This festival is held four times over the course of 12 years. The timing of the event is dictated by the alignment of the stars! 

Once the planets arrange perfectly and are fully occupied, the celebration begins! The legend is that gods and demons fought over an elixir of mortality. During their struggle, drops of the elixir fell onto four earthly sites. Once the stars align, the rivers are believed to transform into the primordial concoction of immortality. Hindus bathe in the waters to purify and heal themselves.