ALLAHABAD, India: Several thousands of devout Hindus took a holy dip in the river Ganges Friday, marking the most auspicious day of the six- week-long pilgrimage, called Ardh Kumbh Mela, aimed at cleansing the sins committed in the past.
Organizers of the festival said nearly 15 million people are expected to have their baths at the confluence created by the merger of river Ganges and river Yamuna and the mystical and invisible river Saraswati. The most auspicious day of the 45-day-long festival is the new moon might, or amavasya, which falls on Friday.
India's learned astrologers had determined that 6.10 a.m. is the most auspicious time to take the ritualistic bath in the river. Accordingly, several thousands of people, comprising naked Naga sadhus, other holy men from various parts of the country and devout Hindus immersed themselves in the cold waters of the river in full reverence at the appointed time.
The Naga sadhus, naked and their body smeared with holy ash, ran to the river, leading the masses to the holy bath.
Since Wednesday, hordes of pilgrims of all hues have been reaching the Sangam -- or confluence -- from all the parts of the country to take part in the ritual. All the roads leading to the river were closed to traffic for several days and large number of police and security men was present to coordinate the movement of the people.
The festival, which falls once in six years, began on 3 January and concludes on 16 February.
Hindu mythology says that there had been a fight between gods and demons in order to gain the nectar of immortality. Once this was available, a small part of its spilled over Allahabad from a pitcher, or Kumbh.
A larger festival, the "Maha Kumbh Mela," or the Grand Pitcher Festival, takes place every 12 years.
