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| Olde Tyme Religion |
| Millions [400] start bathing in holy rivers at India's biggest Hindu festival |
| 2025-01-14 |
| [BBC] Millions of people have taken a holy bath at the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela (also known as Mahakumbh) - described as humanity's biggest gathering - in northern India's Prayagraj city on Monday. 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 Saraswati. Hindus believe that taking a dip in the sacred river will cleanse them of sins, purify their soul and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death - as the ultimate goal of Hinduism is salvation. About 400 million pilgrims are expected to attend the 45-day spectacle, which is so large it can be seen from space. In photos: World's biggest religious festival begins in India WATCH: Sea of humanity at world's largest religious gathering Authorities said that on Monday, until 4pm local time, 16 million people had taken a bath. On Tuesday, numbers are expected to exceed 20 million, and the spectacle will be special as it will see ash-smeared naked Hindu holy men with matted dreadlocks, known as Naga sadhus, take a dip at dawn. But authorities are racing against time to get the city ready to host millions who will continue to pour in throughout the festival. |
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #4 Once a year is good... |
| Posted by: BrerRabbit 2025-01-14 11:31 |
| #3 Community Immunity |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2025-01-14 08:36 |
| #2 A person might bump into a old friend while bathing in the Ganges River. Since some Hindus still use it to send the DEAD on their way. |
| Posted by: NN2N1 2025-01-14 06:56 |
| #1 "Don't drink it!" |
| Posted by: Frank G 2025-01-14 02:20 |