Haridwar:
Thursday is the first day of the Mahakumbh in Haridwar, a religious fair that takes place every 12 years.
Lakhs of devotees are expected to come here on Thursday to take a dip in the holy Ganga on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. It is believed that taking a holy dip will cleanse them of their sins.
Massive security arrangements have also been put in place to deal with the crowds.
Mahakumbh is the biggest religious gathering in the world. Millions of devotees will descend on Haridwar for the Mahakumbh Mela.
The river is icy, but you wouldn't know it from the number people thronging its banks. The overwhelming sights and sounds of the Mahakumbh are building up for a three-month spectacle of religious fervour as millions make a bid for salvation.
(Watch: Naga Sadhus at Mahakumbh)The Kumbh Mela alternates between Allahabad, Ujjain, Nasik and Haridwar every three years. The Mahakumbh is held every 12 years.
K. Das Mandal has come to Haridwar all the way from West Bengal. ''We have come for blessings, to pray for my sons, and husband and myself.''
Erica on the other hand, hopes to observe many like Mandal and "find out about your culture.'' The Brazilian tourist is excited. She is also "very impressed with the arrangements. There are a lot of security men and it makes me feel safe.''
A congregation of this magnitude makes a huge demand on the government. This year, the BJP government in Uttarakhand has braced itself for five crore footfalls. There are 16,000 security officials to ensure proceedings are tangle-free. To assist them in their vigil, are 100 CCTV cameras.
The infrastructure required is mindboggling. The administration has set up 14,000 temporary toilets and 45 makeshift bridges for pilgrims to cross over. Fourteen kilometres of the river bank has been cleared for holy dips.
The capacity of the government hospitals has been increased and 40 first-aid units have been deployed at the venue.
The government, which has spent Rs 300 crore on the arrangements, is keeping its fingers crossed. Fights and stampedes have been known to happen here from the sheer crush of people. And the naysayers are already predicting chaos.
Haridwar City Congress Committee member OP Chauhan says: ''The government was supposed to build roads in Haridwar. Where are they? If this Kumbh concludes safely, it will be only because of the Gods."
All eyes are now on Thursday when the infrastructure will first be tested, with about five million people expected to take a dip in the Ganga.
The numbers at a glance make for impressive reading:
5,00,00,00 people expected
16,000 security officials
100 CCTV cameras
14,000 temporary toilets
45 makeshift bridges
14 km of river bank cleared for holy dips
40 first-aid units
Rs 300 crore - money spent