The Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela, considered the largest human gathering on the planet, began in northern India on Monday with thousands of pilgrims flocking to the holy confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers.

Vast crowds of Hindu pilgrims in India bathed in sacred waters as the Kumbh Mela festival opened on Monday, with organisers expecting 400 million people -- the world's largest gathering of humanity -- to assemble over six weeks.India is the world's most populous nation, with 1.4 billion people, and so is used to large crowds.

The Mahanirvani Akhara venerates Sage Kapilmuni and is led by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishokananda. A unique participant is the Kinnar Akhara, which gives transgender people a platform to express their spirituality within Hinduism's inclusive framework.