Vast crowds of Hindu pilgrims in India readied on Monday to bathe in sacred waters for the Kumbh Mela festival, with organizers expecting 400 million people — the largest gathering of humanity. The millennia-old Kumbh Mela,

Millions of Hindu devotees, mystics and holy men and women from all across India flocked to the northern city of Prayagraj on Monday to kickstart the Maha Kumbh festival, which is being touted as the world's largest religious gathering.

Authorities in India are racing against time to get the city of Prayagraj ready to host the Hindu festival Kumbh Mela, described as humanity's biggest gathering. About 400 million pilgrims are expected to attend the 45-day spectacle,

Preparations are underway to host millions of Hindu devotees and visitors in the northern Indian city of Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Festival (Jan. 12)