Where can you see hundreds of thousands of people congregate to take a holy dip in the Ganges river today? At the world’s largest religious gathering — the Kumbh Mela — in Haridwar.

The three month long Kumbh Mela gets underway from today, the occasion of Makar Sankranti. This meeting of the religious minds attracts sadhus (Hindu holy men) and pilgrims from near and far. It’s a spectacle never to be forgotten.

The Uttarakhand government has devoted significant resources to building new infrastructure in Haridwar for the festival. This includes a modern car park, foot bridges, and a network of arterial roads connecting the main Har?ki?Pauri bathing ghat to neighboring shrines and residential areas.

Tamil Nadu, in south India, is enthusiastically preparing to celebrate the Pongal festival. This festival, which is the equivalent of Thanksgiving, takes place for four days all over the state from January 13-16 each year. It’s a harvest festival, which also marks the retreat of winter and the start of the Tamil New Year.

Since most of Tamil Nadu relies on agriculture for its income, Pongal is one of the most important festivals of the year there. The highlight of the festival is the cooking of the Pongal dish — a sweet preparation made from rice and boiled milk — on the second day.

One of the best places to participate in Pongal celebrations is Chennai. Pongal is also a popular time for new movie releases in the cinemas, so check out a Tamil movie as well!

Important Dates during Mahakumbh 2010:

January 14th – Makkar Sakranthi
15th – Mouni Amavaysa, Suryagrahan Snan
20th – Basant Panchami
30th – Mahi Poornima
February 12th – Mahashivratri (Shahi Snan)
March 15th – Somvati Amavasya (Shahi Snan)
16th – Nav Samvatharambh Snan
24th – Ramnavami Snan
30th – Chiatra Poornima Snan
April 13th – Baishakhi
14th – Mesh Sankranthi (Shahi Snan)