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A devotee stands in the Yamuna River, New Delhi, offering prayers to the sun.

The incident took place in Prayagraj city near the Sangam, an auspicious meeting point of the sacred Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers where devotees take a dip.

Tuesday's bathing rituals, called the Shahi Snan - or the royal bath - will see the ascetics arrive in batches at the Sangam - the confluence of India's most sacred Ganges river with the Yamuna river and the mythical Saraswati - in colourful processions.

The event - held once every 12 years - starts on Monday and over the next six weeks, the devout will bathe at Sangam - the confluence of India's most sacred Ganges river with the Yamuna river and the mythical goddess Saraswati.

Next, the researchers plan to put their laboratory findings to work in the field, possibly in a project focused on the Yamuna River.