In Pics: Thousands Throng Haridwar for Ardh Kumbh Mela 2016

In Pictures: Thousands throng Haridwar for Ardh Kumbh at Har ki Pauri in Haridwar.

Devotees take a dip in the river Ganges on the first auspicious bathing day of the Ardh Kumbh festival at Haridwar. (Photo: AP)

The Ardh Kumbh Mela 2016 started at Haridwar’s Har ki Pauri ghat where millions of pilgrims come to participate in the holy event of Maha Kumbh. The pilgrims come from all walks of life, with a belief that their sins will be washed off in the holy waters of the sacred river Ganges if they take a dip during the Kumbh.

The Ardh Kumbh Mela will take place in the holy city of Haridwar from January 2016 to April 2016.

A Hindu holy man takes a dip in the River Ganges on the first auspicious bathing day of the Ardh Kumbh festival at Haridwar. (Photo: AP)

At least 1 million devotees are expected to take a bath in the holy river this year.

The Kumbh Mela is not a single event. There is the Maha Kumbh Mela, Purna Kumbh Mela and the Ardh Kumbh Mela. Ardh Kumbh Mela is held every six years at Haridwar and Allahabad, in between two Purna Kumbh Melas which are held after every 12 years.

The festival is known as “the biggest gathering in the world.”

A sadhu taking a holy dip at Har ki Pauri on the occasion of Makar Sankranti during Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar. (Photo: PTI)

Security personnel taking oath (Jal Sapath) at Har ki Pauri during Ardh Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. (Photo: PTI)

A sadhu performs prayers as he takes a holy dip in River Ganges. (Photo: PTI)

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat along with devotees offering prayers to Ganga at the beginning of Ardh Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. (Photo: PTI)

Devout Hindus participate in morning prayers before taking a dip in the River Ganga on the first auspicious bathing day of the Ardh Kumbh festival. (Photo: AP)