Naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the waters of sacred rivers in India on Tuesday, part of a large crowd of 35 million devotees who took the holy dip on the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela,

Naked Hindu ascetics and pilgrims are taking holy dips in sacred rivers in the first major bathing day of the Maha Kumbh festival, which is the largest religious congregation on Earth.

Over 10,000 security personnel, including local police and paramilitary forces have been deployed at the Sangam Ghat for surveillance. Additionally, underwater drones, 2,700 AI-enabled cameras have been installed in and around Mela Ground to ensure security of the millions of attendees.