PRAYAGRAJ, India -- As the sun rises over the ancient city of Prayagraj, the streets begin to fill with the energy of a spiritual journey unlike any other. Over 45 days from mid-January, officials in this city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh expect to welcome about 400 million Hindu pilgrims arriving for the world's largest religious event -- which has not been held in this form for 144 years.
People from all walks of life will come together at the sacred point where the Ganges and Yamuna rivers meet the (mythical) Saraswati River. With prayers in their hearts, millions will step into the holy waters, turning Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, into a vibrant hub of faith, tradition and devotion.
