The ritual bath for cleansing one’s soul is the most important aspect of rituals in Kumbh Mela. The devout Hindus believe that taking a dip in the sacred river on the most auspicious day of the new moon will forgive their sins, thereby terminating the cycle of birth and death. Right from 3 o’ clock in the morning, the pilgrims start assembling in lines

The other rituals include devotional singing, religious assemblies, mass-feeding and debates on religious doctrines. The order of entering into the sacred river is already fixed. The Naga Sadhus ( who do not wear cloth, their forehead is smeared with ash and they are not affected by material possessions) enter first. They are followed by Urdhwavahurs, Parivajakas and Shirshasins.