To seek absolution, more than 10 million Hindus immersed themselves in holy water in northern India for about four hours on February 12.
According to Reuters, maintaining safety is a major challenge at the festival. Local authorities are now increasing police forces and preparing air ambulances in Prayagraj city in Uttar Pradesh state (India) on one of the holiest days of the Kumbh Mela festival. This is considered the largest gathering in the world.
Hindu devotees take a dip at the confluence of India's legendary Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers on February 12, 2025.
“The number of people who flock to the city in a single day is more than the population of many countries and the number is increasing by the minute,” Uttar Pradesh police chief Prashant Kumar told Reuters. The influx of people has caused traffic jams and strained the area’s infrastructure, he said.
The Kumbh Mela festival, which began on January 13, will last six weeks and is expected to attract about 400 million people, officials said.
People flock to the Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj city, Uttar Pradesh state (India) on February 10, 2025
Officials said more than 30 people died in a stampede at the Kumbh Mela festival in northern India on January 9, when more than 76 million people flocked to the river to take a “royal bath.” But that did not stop the flow of people, including high-ranking officials, movie stars and the wealthy.
Lots of trash left behind by devotees after bathing at Kumbh Mela festival
Kumbh Mela, which means "holy water pot festival" in Hindi, is an important event for the Hindu community, held at the confluence of the legendary Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers. Hindus believe that bathing at the confluence of these three holy rivers will free people from sins.
According to Reuters, Hindus consider this year's Kumbh Mela festival even more important because it has the power to free them from the cycle of reincarnation.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hon-10-trieu-nguoi-an-do-ngam-minh-trong-dong-nuoc-thanh-18525021216001992.htm
Comment (0)