Millions take the plunge at India's religious mega festival

More than 30 million devotees were expected to immerse themselves at the confluence of three rivers - the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. [AFP]

Millions of Hindu pilgrims took the plunge into sacred rivers at theFP] world's largest religious gathering Monday, led by ash-smeared holy men and accompanied by religious chanting.

On the most auspicious day of the months-long Kumbh Mela festival, devotees rose at dawn in the northern city of Allahabad to immerse themselves at the confluence of three rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.