ALLAHABAD, Jan 3: Ash-smeared and naked Hindu saints led millions of devotees on Wednesday in a pre-dawn holy dip in frigid temperatures at the confluence of three major rivers in north India, starting a 45-day pilgrimage to wash away their sins.

Chanting religious hymns and '”Har Har Gange,” or “Long Live the Ganges (River),” a multitude of men, women and children jumped into the water at 4:54am (1124 GMT), a moment chosen as auspicious by Hindu priests.

Allahabad, the venue of the “Ardh Kumbh Mela” or Half Grand Pitcher festival, is nearly 200 kilometers southeast of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state.

“Initially, I felt some cold. But one dip and the cold was gone,” said Ram Vir Upadhaya, a retired government official, braving chilly winds and early morning fog with minimum temperature hovering around 6 degrees Celsius (42 Fahrenheit).

More than three million have taken the dip in the first six hours, said P. N. Mishra, the state government official in charge of the festival.

“More people are coming; the festival has got off to a smooth start,” Mishra told The Associated Press.

Nearly 70 million Hindus are expected to take a dip in frigid temperatures during the 45-day festival, one of the largest regular gatherings in the world. A larger festival, the “Kumbh Mela,” or the Pitcher Festival, takes place every 12 years.

“It’s a big challenge for us to control this massive human gathering and we are ready to face the challenge,” Mishra said.

Nearly 50,000 police officers fanned out to prevent stampedes and devotees getting lost. They also are on alert against terrorist attacks.

Rajiv Sabharwal, a top police official, said there were intelligence reports that terrorists could strike during the religious festival. He didn’t give details.

“We are ready for any eventuality. We are not taking any chances,” Sabharwal said. “Terrorists love congested areas and the festival could be an easy target for them.”—AP