PRAYAGRAJ, India—Tens of thousands of naked Hindu ascetics and millions of pilgrims took dips in freezing water at the confluence of sacred rivers in northern India on Tuesday, in the first of a series of major baths in the Maha Kumbh festival, known as the largest religious congregation on Earth.
Holding tridents, swords, spears and small two-headed drums, ash-smeared Hindu holy men marched and rode chariots at sunrise toward the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers in the northern city of Prayagraj.
Hindus believe that bathing at the confluence will cleanse them of their sins and release them from the cycle of rebirth.“It is amazing to see how people are just diving in such cold water. People have such strong faith here, and looking at them I feel inspired,” Ramaling said. “After taking the bath, I feel really good and full of positivity.”
The government has provided more than $765 million for the event, hoping to impress India’s largely Hindu population and draw visitors from around the world. On Tuesday, millions thronged to the riverbanks, with some carrying clothes, blankets and food on their heads and others lugging wheeled bags. Groups of Hindu ascetics have set up sprawling camps at the site, with tens of thousands of pilgrims visiting them to hear religious discourses and attend prayers.
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