(Photo by Ritesh Shukla/ Getty Images)

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The story

The Kumbh Mela festival, the largest religious gathering in the world, has begun in the northern Indian city of Prayagraj. 400 million people are expected to attend throughout the 45-day period, authorities say. The festival can be seen from space.

The Hindu festival is held once every 12 years, but this year it’s particularly significant because of a rare alignment between the Sun, the Moon and Jupiter, which happens only once every 144 years.

News headlines

India’s Maha Kumbh Mela festival gets under way for first time in 144 years
The Guardian

India’s Maha Kumbh festival sees 15 million people take holy dip on first day
Reuters

Kumbh Mela, explained: Its mythology, history, astrology, and why millions flock to it
The Indian Express

Key words and phrases

under way
in progress

• You can’t enter the venue once the concert is under way.

dip
a brief swim

• After hiking all day, a quick dip in the lake felt amazing.

flock
move in a crowd

• Tourists flock to the city every summer.

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