Mahakumbh Mela begins

To the resonating sound of Vedic hymns, conch shells, cymbals and temple bells, the first snan, or holy dip, of the Mahakumbh Mela at Haridwar began in the early hours of January 14, the day when India celebrated the Makara Sankranti. Thousands of pilgrims from India, and across the world, dipped into the achingly chilly waters of the holy river Ganga at Brahma Kund, an embanked stretch of the river just below the Shiva temple at the Har ki Pauri in the heart of the temple town on Thursday.