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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Millions bathe at Hindu festival | Millions bathe at Hindu festival |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| About two million Hindus are expected to bathe in the Ganges on an auspicious day of the Maha Kumbh festival in the northern Indian city of Haridwar. | About two million Hindus are expected to bathe in the Ganges on an auspicious day of the Maha Kumbh festival in the northern Indian city of Haridwar. |
| Naga holy men or naked hermits have been taking the "royal bath" or "Shahi Shan" on Friday. | Naga holy men or naked hermits have been taking the "royal bath" or "Shahi Shan" on Friday. |
| The big, or Maha Kumbh, festivals are held every 12 years, with lesser festivals held at stages in between. | The big, or Maha Kumbh, festivals are held every 12 years, with lesser festivals held at stages in between. |
| The celebrations at the Maha Kumbh are among the largest religious gatherings in the world. | The celebrations at the Maha Kumbh are among the largest religious gatherings in the world. |
| A festival official said nearly 10,000 security forces had been deployed to control traffic and the surge of devotees. | A festival official said nearly 10,000 security forces had been deployed to control traffic and the surge of devotees. |
| The BBC's Ram Dutt Tripathi in Haridwar says devotees have been taking the holy bath in the Ganges since early on Friday. | The BBC's Ram Dutt Tripathi in Haridwar says devotees have been taking the holy bath in the Ganges since early on Friday. |
| 'Spiritual inspiration' | 'Spiritual inspiration' |
| The Naga holy men arrived in colourful processions under tight security. | The Naga holy men arrived in colourful processions under tight security. |
| Hundreds of foreigners are also attending the festival, our correspondent says. | Hundreds of foreigners are also attending the festival, our correspondent says. |
| "I am getting spiritual and mystical inspiration from Indian culture," one of the devotees, Mica, who comes from France, said. | "I am getting spiritual and mystical inspiration from Indian culture," one of the devotees, Mica, who comes from France, said. |
| According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a celestial war over a pitcher of divine nectar. | According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a celestial war over a pitcher of divine nectar. |
| The war lasted 12 divine days (which is equal to 12 human years) and that led to the celebration of the Maha Kumbh - the most auspicious gathering held every 12 years. | The war lasted 12 divine days (which is equal to 12 human years) and that led to the celebration of the Maha Kumbh - the most auspicious gathering held every 12 years. |
| The half kumbh is celebrated every six years and is also considered auspicious. | The half kumbh is celebrated every six years and is also considered auspicious. |
| However, many say these festivals have now lost their religious sanctity and a large number of visitors come here for reasons other than divine salvation. | However, many say these festivals have now lost their religious sanctity and a large number of visitors come here for reasons other than divine salvation. |