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Millions bathe in India's Ganges Millions bathe in India's Ganges
(3 days later)
Several million Hindu pilgrims have been bathing in India's Ganges river at Allahabad for a key festival.Several million Hindu pilgrims have been bathing in India's Ganges river at Allahabad for a key festival.
Five million people are expected to have taken the ritual cleansing plunge into the river by the end of Monday.Five million people are expected to have taken the ritual cleansing plunge into the river by the end of Monday.
Sunday and Monday are among the most auspicious bathing days in the 45-day Ardh Kumbh Mela festival as the sun enters the Tropic of Capricorn.Sunday and Monday are among the most auspicious bathing days in the 45-day Ardh Kumbh Mela festival as the sun enters the Tropic of Capricorn.
The Ganges was flushed with fresh water after holy men threatened a boycott, saying its waters were too polluted.The Ganges was flushed with fresh water after holy men threatened a boycott, saying its waters were too polluted.
I am here to wash away my sins - the sins I accumulated in my life so that I can die as a pious soul Pilgrim Hari Om Sharma href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6230871.stm" class="">Mela: Facts and maps I am here to wash away my sins - the sins I accumulated in my life so that I can die as a pious soul Pilgrim Hari Om Sharma class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6230871.stm"> Mela: Facts and maps
The holy men, or sadhus, led the way into the river, to the sound of drumming and chanting.The holy men, or sadhus, led the way into the river, to the sound of drumming and chanting.
Many wore saffron robes, and many carried tridents in their hands.Many wore saffron robes, and many carried tridents in their hands.
Hindus believe that bathing at Sangam, the confluence of three holy rivers - Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati - can wash away their sins and break the cycle of reincarnation.Hindus believe that bathing at Sangam, the confluence of three holy rivers - Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati - can wash away their sins and break the cycle of reincarnation.
"My mind is now totally clean and without any malice after I came here and had a bath," one pilgrim told the BBC."My mind is now totally clean and without any malice after I came here and had a bath," one pilgrim told the BBC.
Pitcher battlePitcher battle
Water from canals and dams upstream was released to clean the river at the northern city of Allahabad to pacify the sadhus, some of whom had threatened to kill themselves.Water from canals and dams upstream was released to clean the river at the northern city of Allahabad to pacify the sadhus, some of whom had threatened to kill themselves.
Many were naked except for the ash they smeared on their bodiesMany were naked except for the ash they smeared on their bodies
Offerings cast into the river and waste and sewage dumped into it have polluted the river over many years.Offerings cast into the river and waste and sewage dumped into it have polluted the river over many years.
Astrologers are divided on the most auspicious time of planetary alignment but millions of Hindu devotees are expected to bathe late on Sunday and early Monday.Astrologers are divided on the most auspicious time of planetary alignment but millions of Hindu devotees are expected to bathe late on Sunday and early Monday.
The Ardh Kumbh Mela, which began on 3 January, is one of the largest gatherings on Earth, with some 60m Hindus expected to attend over the 45-day period.The Ardh Kumbh Mela, which began on 3 January, is one of the largest gatherings on Earth, with some 60m Hindus expected to attend over the 45-day period.
It is a smaller version of the Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, which takes place every 12 years.It is a smaller version of the Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, which takes place every 12 years.
According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a celestial war over a pitcher of divine nectar. Allahabad is one of the four towns where drops of nectar fell during the battle.According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a celestial war over a pitcher of divine nectar. Allahabad is one of the four towns where drops of nectar fell during the battle.