Hundreds of millions of Hindu devotees have bathed in sacred waters, despite concerns over overcrowding and water pollution, as the world’s largest religious gathering wrapped up Wednesday in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

The new factual documentary will explore the biggest gathering on Earth – the Maha Kumbh Mela Festival in Northern India

As per the latest recorded data on 4 February, faecal coliform levels in the Ganges surged after a major bathing event at the Maha Kumbh Mela, reaching 11,000 units per 100 millilitres near Shastri Bridge and 7,900 units per 100 millilitres at Sangam – far above the safe limit of 2,500 units per 100 millilitres.

Two women were arrested on the banks of the Ganges in Kolkata's Kumartuli on early Tuesday as they were trying to dispose of a trolley bag carrying the headless and chopped body of a woman in the river.

The Kumbh Mela is the world's largest religious gathering, attracting hundreds of millions of Hindu worshippers. Here's how India prepared—and what happens once it's all over.

Kolkata: Two women were arrested on the banks of the Ganges in Kolkata's Kumartuli early Tuesday as they were trying to dispose of a trolley bag carrying the headless and chopped body of a woman in the river.

Bollywood celebrities, including Raveena Tandon and her daughter Rasha Thadani, attended the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Captured in viral videos with Katrina Kaif, they performed rituals by the Ganges.

Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges (w/t) is a Wildstar Films production for BBC One and iPlayer. It is directed and produced by Brigid McFall, the editor is Dilesh Korya and the executive producer is ...