Preparations in full swing for Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019

Kumbh Mela will begin in Prayagraj on January 15, 2019 and will go on till March 4, 2019. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

This time, the Ministry of Culture is planning to spend Rs 200-250 crore, of which around Rs 100 crore will partially fund the Sanskriti Gram, a 15-acre, tech-enabled museum at the venue. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

Conceived by RSS-affiliated Sanskar Bharati, the museum is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore, with the rest of the funds coming from the UP government and corporate sponsors. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

According to official estimates, over 15 crore people are expected to visit the Kumbh Mela, which will be organised over 10,000 acres of land, with invitations also being sent to each village in India. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

While Ramlila and Krishna Lila will be staged during the event, an international ballet themed around the Ganga is being planned this time. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

The Ministry of Tourism has also embarked on a mega publicity spree through missions abroad to generate interest about the “49-day Kumbh Mela”. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

It is traditionally believed that the `invisible' Saraswati river joins the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna at Allahabad, and it comes up in a temple at Allahabad (Prayag) Fort. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

The Kumbh Mela is believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth and is held every 12 years on the banks of the 'Sangam'- the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati -- in Allahabad. (Source: PTI)

The Mela alternates between Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The one celebrated at the Sangam is the largest and holiest of them. (Source: PTI)