Allahabad, January 14
The banks of Ganga turned into a virtual cauldron of human civilisation at dawn today as pilgrims from different nationalities and social strata took the first holy dip in the river waters signalling the start of Mahakumbh, the world’s largest festival of faith.

Over one crore bathers on Makar Sankranti day comprised a stark contrast of people - from manual scavengers like Imarti Devi from Bikaner who came all the way in the hope that “Ganga maiyya will better her next life if not this” to a disabled Tuka Ram from Maharashtra who believes Ganga alone can end his sufferings.

Even before sunrise, thousands of pilgrims had pressed towards the river front in the hope of ridding their life of sins. From centenarians like Shivasi Ram from Gaya and flamboyant sadhus of the 13 Hindu akharas to newly anointed child sanyasis and toddlers, no one missed the auspicious dip at Sangam ghat where Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati met in a rare, once in 300 years, occasion.