Holy waters, sacred ash
Hundreds of thousands of Hindu faithful including ash-smeared holy men gather in the Indian city of Nashik on the banks of the Godavari River, as devotees from all walks of life bathe in the holy waters.
Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, is celebrated in four different Indian cities over a period of 12 years. This time round pilgrims congregate in Nashik, in the western state of Maharashtra.