Naked Hindu ascetics and pilgrims are taking holy dips in sacred rivers in the first major bathing day of the Maha Kumbh festival, which is the largest religious congregation on Earth Credit ...

Officials say more than 400 million are expected to ... called the Shahi Snan - or the royal bath - will see the ascetics arrive in batches at the Sangam - the confluence of India's most sacred ...

PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) — Tens of thousands of naked Hindu ascetics and millions of pilgrims took dips in freezing water at the confluence of sacred rivers in northern India on Tuesday ...

The ascetics chanted religious slogans ... today and around 400 million over the course of 45 days, authorities say. Hindus believe that this ritual will cleanse them of sins, purify their ...

PRAYAGRAJ, India (Reuters) -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 incident occurred in the 4,000 hectare (9,900 acres) temporary city near the arena for ascetics on the 'Akhada Marg' (Arena Road) that is used by the ascetics to go in a procession to the river.

Police are also using automated systems to avoid stampedes, he said. Groups of Hindu ascetics have set up sprawling camps at the site, with tens of thousands of pilgrims visiting them to hear ...

PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) — Tens of thousands of naked Hindu ascetics and millions of pilgrims took dips in freezing water at the confluence of sacred rivers in northern India on Tuesday ...