Indian television reports and news agencies said the pilgrims began to take a dip at dawn on a day that has been billed as Mauni Amavasya (New Moon of the Saints), which is considered the most holy during the six-week long festival.

Reports described the scene at the Sangam (the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati) as a sea of humanity as the biggest gathering of people in one place on a single day anywhere in the world began their prayers.

The United News of India (UNI) news agency reported that naked sadhus (holymen) from 13 akharas (Hindu sects) led the procession of their followers to the confluence while being seated on gilded chariots and palanquins.

All roads leading to Allahabad have remained jammed with pilgrims and vehicles for the last two days. Many of the people have been forced to walk long distances to reach the tented township that has sprung up on the river banks.

The Hindu newspaper said pilgrims trickled into the tented township by every route. According to Khumb officials more than eight million had “checked-in” to the area by late Tuesday.

Even as those who took the holy bath at the Sangam left the bathing ghats (platform) on Wednesday, others carrying their food, kerosene stoves and children on their heads could be seen proceeding towards the Sangam area.

Authorities have made massive arrangements in terms of manpower and logistics to look after the comforts of the pilgrims.

The Kumbh Mela at Allahabad is held every 12 years while smaller versions are held every four years at Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain.

The origin of the festival lies in the ancient belief in the conflict between the gods and demons over the possession of the “amrit kumbh,” a pitcher filled with nectar.

After the churning of the “kshir sagar”—the milky ocean—jointly between the gods and demons, there arose a dispute between the two sides.

The legend says one of the fleeing gods whisked the pitcher from his pursuers, and on his way to heaven he rested at Prayag, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain, where some drops of the liquid fell.

He took 12 days to complete the journey, which equals 12 human years. The legend of the Kumbh is at least 1,300 years old. It was revived by the Hindu ruler Harshavardhan, who used to undergo penance every 12 years at Prayag (ancient name of Allahabad) where he donated all his worldly possessions.