15 Jan, 22:35 (IST)

3,000 earthen lamps lighted at Prayagraj Kumbh Mela for construction of Ram Temple; a saint, Moni Maharaj, says, "We'll light total 11 lakh lamps in a month. We believe that the construction of Ram Temple will start immediately after the conclusion of Kumbh"

15 Jan, 20:56 (IST)

According to the Kumbh Mela administration, over 2 crore people took the holy bath during Makar Sankranti

15 Jan, 13:07 (IST)

Swami Namdev Tyagi, popularly known as Computer Baba, has arrived at Kumbh Mela to take Shahi Snan on Makar Sankranti.

15 Jan, 13:02 (IST)

Congress president Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Kumbh Mela and take holy dip on either 18th or 19th January.

15 Jan, 10:04 (IST)

According to officials, about 15 crore devotees are expected to visit Kumbh Mela, which, according to legends, opens the doors to heaven.

15 Jan, 09:59 (IST)

Soon after the Shahi Snan began at Kumbh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a video through his Twitter handle. He urged devotees to take part in Kumbh Mela which is organised at a much wider scale this year.

15 Jan, 09:56 (IST)

Thousands of devotees and 13 Akharas took the Shahi Snan, a holy dip, at the Sangam Ghat -- the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati rivers -- in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Tuesday morning, marking the beginning of Kumbh Mela 2019.

Prayagraj, January 15: With 13 Akharas taking the Shahi Snan on Makar Sankranti, the Kumbh Mela 2019 commenced at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. Over 12 million pilgrims, including foreigners, will take the holy dip at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mystical Saraswati rivers throughout the day. Kumbh Mela is the largest human congregation in the world. Catch live updates on Kumbh Mela 2019 here.

Kumbh Mela is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated by Hindus four times over a course of 12 years. Shahi Snan is one of the most significant rituals performed at Kumbh. Devotees believe one is purged of all their sins, releases themselves and their ancestors from the cycle of rebirth and attains Moksha by submerging oneself in the holy waters. Massive arrangements have been made by Kumbh Mela administration for peaceful bathing. Watch Live Streaming of Kumbh Mela 2019 Here.

The ceremonial bath is drawing huge crowds as devotees continue to arrive here in large numbers. Over 15 crore devotees are expected to visit the Kumbh over the span of 45 days. The Kumbh Mela will reach its culmination on March 4, which also marks the Maha Shivratri, the last of the six dates for the Shahi Snan. Kumbh Mela 2019: Who Are The Naga Sadhus and Where Do They Come From?

Watch Live Streaming of Shahi Snan by Akharas at Kumbh Mela 2019 in Prayagraj:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a video on Twitter shortly after the Shahi Snan ceremony began at Kumbh, marking the official beginning of the fair. PM Modi urged devotees to participate in the Kumbh Mela, which is organised at a much wider scale this year than its previous editions.