The story goes that the gods and demons once struck a deal to churn the ocean of milk to produce the nectar of immortality and share it equally.

But once the nectar was produced, the two sides began quarrelling over who should have their share first. In the tussle, a drop each of the nectar fell in Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Since then these four places are believed to have acquired mystical powers.

Kumbh refers to the pot of nectar; mela means festival.

Amazing sights, smells and sounds are the defining characteristics of a Kumbh Mela. Here a sadhu impresses a crowd by spinning a wheel before taking a dip in the Godavari.