The holiday, which marks the new year, is observed over five days in various ways, from decorating with lights, praying at the temple and feasts with loved ones. Much of that is different this year.
It's India's Kumbh Mela festival, which is expected to draw a record 15 million pilgrims this year, all looking to take a dip in the sacred Ganges and Yamuna rivers.
For 10 days, they sing, dance, chant and pray at the feet of Ganesh statues, then submerge them in water. The festival was once used to circumvent British rule.