15 spectacular pictures of the sacred Kumbh Mela

The occasion has come to be known as one of the most sacred occasions in the Hindu faith

At any given place, the Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years. Hindu devotees participate in a mass pilgrimage and bathe in a sacred river during the mela. It has come to be known as one of the most sacred occasions in the Hindu faith and is held on the banks of  the ‘Sangam’- the conjunction of the sacred streams Ganga, Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati.

The date of the event is determined based on the combination of the zodiac positions of Jupiter, the Sun and moon. Thousands of rupees are spent on preparations for the religious event.

Here we look at 15 spectacular pictures of the Kumbh Mela being celebrated in Ujjain, India.

A Hindu holy man combs his beard after taking a dip in the waters of Shipra river during Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

A Naga Sadhu with his face covered with ash, is pictured after taking a dip in the waters of Shipra river at the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.

A hand of a Hindu holy man is seen after taking a dip in the waters of Shipra river during the second 'Shahi Snan' (grand bath) at Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.

A Hindu holy man lies on the thorns of a Babul tree to beg for alms on the banks of Shipra river during Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

Newly initiated Naga Sadhus or Hindu holy men perform Pinda Daan, a ritual on the banks of Shipra river during Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.

A Hindu holy man applies ashes on his body after taking a dip in the waters of Shipra river.

Sadhus or Hindu holy men offer prayers while sitting inside circles of burning "Upale" (or dried cow dung cakes) during a prayer ceremony at the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.

A Sadhu or a Hindu holy man covers his face as an earthen pot with burning "Upale" (or dried cow dung cakes) rests on his head during a prayer ceremony at the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

A boy combs his hair in front of a mural after taking a holy dip in the Shipra river.

A Hindu priest holds a traditional lamp as he performs evening prayers called "Aarti" on the banks of river Shipra.

A Hindu holy man displays his hair after taking a dip in the waters of the river Shipra.

A Hindu holy man prays as he takes a dip in the waters of the river Shipra during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.

A Hindu holy man looks on as another holds a trident after taking a dip in the waters of the river Shipra.

A Hindu devotee carries his disabled friend after taking a holy dip in the waters of the river Shipra during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.

A Hindu holy man with his face covered with ash, is pictured after taking a dip in the waters of Shipra river at the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

PHOTOS: REUTERS