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Holy men begin Indian Mela bath Holy men begin Indian Mela bath
(10 minutes later)
Thousands of Hindu holy men plunged into the Ganges river in the northern Indian town of Allahabad to mark the main day of the Ardh Kumbh festival.Thousands of Hindu holy men plunged into the Ganges river in the northern Indian town of Allahabad to mark the main day of the Ardh Kumbh festival.
The new moon night, or Mauni Amavasya, is celebrated on Friday which becomes the most auspicious day in the six-week-long Hindu bathing festival.The new moon night, or Mauni Amavasya, is celebrated on Friday which becomes the most auspicious day in the six-week-long Hindu bathing festival.
All roads leading to the site of the festival are teeming with pilgrims.All roads leading to the site of the festival are teeming with pilgrims.
It is being held at the confluence of three of Hinduism's holiest rivers - the Ganges, Yamuna and the Saraswati.It is being held at the confluence of three of Hinduism's holiest rivers - the Ganges, Yamuna and the Saraswati.
The ash-smeared Naga sadhus ran into the river wearing nothing apart from marigold garlands.The ash-smeared Naga sadhus ran into the river wearing nothing apart from marigold garlands.
Most ran out after a quick dip in the river, but a few others splashed around.Most ran out after a quick dip in the river, but a few others splashed around.
Festival organiser PN Mishra told the AFP news agency that more than 20 million people were expected to bathe during the day.Festival organiser PN Mishra told the AFP news agency that more than 20 million people were expected to bathe during the day.
HagglingHaggling
It is believed that bathing at Sangam - the site of the festival - purifies the body and soul and helps attain salvation.It is believed that bathing at Sangam - the site of the festival - purifies the body and soul and helps attain salvation.
A steady stream of pilgrims has been pouring into the Sangam area since early on Thursday morning and people continued to arrive until late in the night.A steady stream of pilgrims has been pouring into the Sangam area since early on Thursday morning and people continued to arrive until late in the night.
I don't know the significance of this day, but my Guru knows it Narayan Das href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6271663.stm">Spiritual cleansing at Mela href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6276827.stm">A day at the festival I don't know the significance of this day, but my Guru knows it Narayan Das href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6230871.stm"> Hindu Kumbh festivals href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6224659.stm"> In pictures: Pilgrims gather
Men with duvets and blankets slung across their shoulders, women carrying or holding small children by hand, saffron robed sadhus - or holy men - are all at the site.Men with duvets and blankets slung across their shoulders, women carrying or holding small children by hand, saffron robed sadhus - or holy men - are all at the site.
No traffic is allowed on the roads leading up to the river and thousands of policemen and paramilitary troops have been deployed all over the city to ensure the orderly movement of people.No traffic is allowed on the roads leading up to the river and thousands of policemen and paramilitary troops have been deployed all over the city to ensure the orderly movement of people.
Under the alert eyes of security officials, hundreds of vendors sell marigold flowers and sweets, sacred thread and cans to take away the Ganges water.Under the alert eyes of security officials, hundreds of vendors sell marigold flowers and sweets, sacred thread and cans to take away the Ganges water.
Also on sale are religious books, cheap plastic toys, sunglasses and bags.Also on sale are religious books, cheap plastic toys, sunglasses and bags.
A group of women, dressed in brightly coloured saris, try out colourful glass bangles.A group of women, dressed in brightly coloured saris, try out colourful glass bangles.
Haggling and bargaining are the order of the day here.Haggling and bargaining are the order of the day here.
Groups of people are squatting by the roadside, after trekking for miles to get here. Many say they are looking for places to stay for the night.Groups of people are squatting by the roadside, after trekking for miles to get here. Many say they are looking for places to stay for the night.
The Mela area, spread out over several kilometres, has been turned into a tent city with thousands of tents - big and small - covering every bit of the ground.The Mela area, spread out over several kilometres, has been turned into a tent city with thousands of tents - big and small - covering every bit of the ground.
The festival began on 3 January and concludes on 16 February, but the most auspicious day for a dip at Sangam is on Friday.The festival began on 3 January and concludes on 16 February, but the most auspicious day for a dip at Sangam is on Friday.
Special daySpecial day
It is a day when sun, moon, Venus and Mercury are in the zodiac of Capricorn, a rare but perfect alignment of planets, devotees believe.It is a day when sun, moon, Venus and Mercury are in the zodiac of Capricorn, a rare but perfect alignment of planets, devotees believe.
And most people here say taking a dip in the river on such a day will bring eternal joy to the bather.And most people here say taking a dip in the river on such a day will bring eternal joy to the bather.
Many believe they will receive salvation
But many have no clue as to why Mauni Amavasya is such a special day.But many have no clue as to why Mauni Amavasya is such a special day.
Narayan Das has come all the way from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.Narayan Das has come all the way from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.
"I don't know the significance of this day, but my Guru knows it, he told me to come here and that's why I'm here," he says."I don't know the significance of this day, but my Guru knows it, he told me to come here and that's why I'm here," he says.
Satprakash Shukla is from the Sant Kabir Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.Satprakash Shukla is from the Sant Kabir Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.
He has been coming to Allahabad for the past 48 years to bathe at Mauni Amavasya.He has been coming to Allahabad for the past 48 years to bathe at Mauni Amavasya.
"Our ancestors believed that this was an auspicious day for bathing. So we believe in it too," he says."Our ancestors believed that this was an auspicious day for bathing. So we believe in it too," he says.
Bishnu Padma Datta is from Calcutta, in the state of West Bengal.Bishnu Padma Datta is from Calcutta, in the state of West Bengal.
"It's the maha snan (big bath). Bathing on this day will bring us salvation," he said."It's the maha snan (big bath). Bathing on this day will bring us salvation," he said.
Some say all amavasyas - or new moon nights - are auspicious for bathing in the Ganges, but Mauni (silent) Amavasya is also special as many pilgrims do not speak until they have had their bath.Some say all amavasyas - or new moon nights - are auspicious for bathing in the Ganges, but Mauni (silent) Amavasya is also special as many pilgrims do not speak until they have had their bath.
"It is believed that on this day taking a bath without breaking your silence will bring the benefit of performing millions of yagnas," says Gulab Singh Yadav, a resident of Allahabad."It is believed that on this day taking a bath without breaking your silence will bring the benefit of performing millions of yagnas," says Gulab Singh Yadav, a resident of Allahabad.