Hindu pilgrims arrive to take a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal, ahead of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 13, 2022.

Hindu pilgrims arrive at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal, ahead of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 13, 2022.

Hindu pilgrims gather to take a dip at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal, on the occasion of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 14, 2022.

A Hindu pilgrim offers prayers at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal, ahead of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 13, 2022.

Hindu pilgrims take a dip as they gather at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 14, 2022.

A Hindu pilgrim arrives to take a dip at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 14, 2022.

A Hindu pilgrim reacts as a healthcare worker collects a swab sample from him for a rapid antigen test at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 14, 2022.

A man performs to receive alms from pilgrims at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 14, 2022.

A government official uses a megaphone to urge the pilgrims to maintain social distance and to wear face masks, as pilgrims gather at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 14, 2022.

A man dressed as Hindu Lord Shiva walks for alms from pilgrims at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal ahead of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 13, 2022.

Hindu pilgrims arrive at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal, ahead of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 13, 2022.

A Hindu pilgrim wearing a protective face mask covers herself with a plastic sheet during rainfall as pilgrims gather at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 14, 2022.

Hindu pilgrims cover themselves with a plastic sheet during rainfall as pilgrims gather at the confluence of the river Ganges and the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of "Makar Sankranti" festival at Sagar Island, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the eastern state of West Bengal, India, January 14, 2022.