Millions take dip in rivers at Kumbh festival

Published January 15, 2025
SADHUS, or Hindu holy men, take part in a mass bathing ritual at Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during Shahi
Snan, or royal bath, to mark the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. — AFP
SADHUS, or Hindu holy men, take part in a mass bathing ritual at Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, during Shahi Snan, or royal bath, to mark the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. — AFP

PRAYAGRAJ: Naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the waters of “sacred rivers” in India on Tuesday, part of a large crowd of 35 million devotees who took the holy dip on the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival, seeking absolution from their sins.

The “royal bath” of the ascetics is a key part of the event, held every 12 years in the northern city of Prayagraj, previously known as Allahabad, because Hindus believe it confers salvation from the cycle of birth and death, in addition to the absolution of sins.

Thousands of devotees watched the ascetics take a dip in freezing waters, dreadlocks flying and clad only in holy beads, though some carried tridents, spears, or maces, after a procession to the water accompanied by chants and the beat of drums.

“The crowd today was fantastic,” said ascetic Rakesh Kumar after his holy dip at the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.

“We need people to follow our faith and participate in festivals like this.”

On Tuesday, 35m people “earned the holy benefit” of taking a dip, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, thanking authorities for their efforts to maintain law and order.

Nearly 15m people, more than double the six million population of the city, had taken a ritual dip on Monday, when the six-week festival, expected to attract more than 400m people, began.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2025

Opinion

Editorial

Ill omens
Updated 12 Feb, 2025

Ill omens

One wonders whether institutional leadership realises the long-term ramifications of the ongoing "remaking" of judiciary.
Sunken dreams
12 Feb, 2025

Sunken dreams

ANOTHER tragedy has struck Pakistani migrants seeking a better future. A boat capsizing off the Libyan coast has ...
Hate in India
12 Feb, 2025

Hate in India

HISTORY shows that rulers use hate speech to provoke hate crimes and ‘othering’ among communities. Indian Prime...
IMF scrutiny
Updated 11 Feb, 2025

IMF scrutiny

Strengthening foundations of the economic superstructure will help make the economy competitive and boost growth.
Shadow voices
11 Feb, 2025

Shadow voices

OVER the weekend, another ‘open letter’ addressed to the army chief and attributed to former prime minister ...
Paradise at a premium
11 Feb, 2025

Paradise at a premium

PAKISTAN’S recent triumph at the New York Travel and Adventure Show 2025, winning the Best Partner Pavilion Award,...