HARIDWAR, India – Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees plunged into India’s Ganges River on Thursday as the country kicked off one of the world’s largest religious festivals, even as officials reported the biggest spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases for three months.
Hindu ascetics known as Naga sadhus – many naked apart from a coating of ash and carrying swords or tridents – led the bathers at the Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, in the northern town of Haridwar.
All participants at this year’s event are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result before being allowed into the festival grounds.
Devout Hindus believe bathing in the waters of the Ganges absolves people of sins, and during the Kumbh Mela brings salvation from the cycle of life and death.(Reuters)
