Prayagraj, India - January 14, 2025 On 14 January Tuesday earlier morning nearly 15 million Hindus, six times the number expected, took a dip in freezing waters seeking absolution of their sins on the first day of a six-week festival in India expected to draw the world’s largest gathering of humanity. They sought absolution of their sins by immersing themselves at the confluence of sacred rivers. Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival, as the religious event in the city of Prayagraj in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is called, attracts more than 400 million visitors, both Indians and tourists. Officials had expected the first ritual dip to draw 2.5 million visitors. As many as 40,000 police officers are on guard to provide security and help manage the crowds, while surveillance cameras equipped with artificial intelligence capabilities will ensure continuous monitoring.