The world's largest gathering of humanity begins in India on Monday with the opening of the Kumbh Mela, a six-week Hindu festival.

A huge poster on the wall invited worshippers to the Maha Kumbh, the gigantic gathering of Hindu pilgrims that runs from Jan. 13 through Feb. 26 in the northern Indian city of Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad.

Over 6 weeks from January 13, 350-400 million Hindu pilgrims will converge on the Ganges. Many will bathe in its waters to achieve salvation The world's largest gathering of humanity begins in India on January 13 with the opening of the Kumbh Mela,

The world's largest gathering of humanity begins in India on Monday with the opening of the Kumbh Mela, a six-week Hindu festival organisers expect to attract up to 400 million pilgrims.

Organisers of India's Kumbh Mela have prepared to host a staggering 400 million devotees at the six-week Hindu festival that starts Monday and is expected to be the largest human gathering in history.