Up to 35 million people are expected at Hindu festival in a quest for immortality that involves Sadhus, Sadhivs, and bathing in the Ganges.
Over 2 lakh foreign people takes a holy dip's (bath) in Kumbh Mela 2019 and Converted to Sanatan Dharma.
Over 2 lakh foreign people takes a holy dip's (bath) in Kumbh Mela 2019 and Converted to Sanatan Dharma.
- The Kumbh Mela - a celebration of faith in which Hindus bathe in a sacred river - is held every third year.
- On the first main bathing day, more than 23 million people were estimated to have attended the ceremony.
- It is a series of ritual baths by Hindu holy men and other pilgrims at the confluence of three sacred rivers.
India's Hindu mega-festival Kumbh Mela is in full flow, with millions bathing in sacred rivers in a bid to wash away their sins and achieve immortality.
The festival is the world's largest religious gathering, with some 35 million people expected over the duration of the two-month-long event.
The Kumbh Mela - a celebration of faith in which Hindus bathe in a sacred river - is held every third year and is rotated between four holy sites.
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| Indian Hindu pilgrims walk through a pontoon bridge on the eve of Mauni Amavasya, an important bathing day, at Sangam |
- On the first main bathing day alone, more than 22 million people were estimated to have attended the ceremony in the Indian city of Prayagraj - formerly known as Allahabad.
- It is essentially a series of ritual baths by Hindu holy men, and other pilgrims at the confluence of three sacred rivers the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati that dates back to at least medieval times.
- It is currently in full swing and is due to end on March 4.
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| A Sadhu or a Hindu holy man takes a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers |
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| An Indian Naga Sadhu or naked holy man smokes marijuana from a clay pipe in his tent near Sangam river |
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| Hindu pilgrims gather on the eve of Mauni Amavasya, an important bathing day, at Sangam |
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| Hindu Holy man blows the Shank or conch shell as an Indian Naga Sadhu or naked holy man gives blessings outside his tent |
