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| India's Kumbh Mela festival holds most auspicious day | India's Kumbh Mela festival holds most auspicious day |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| By Soutik Biswas BBC News, Allahabad | By Soutik Biswas BBC News, Allahabad |
| The main day of bathing is being held at India's Kumbh Mela, with 30 million pilgrims already taking a dip at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna. | |
| This is the most auspicious of six bathing days at the event, billed as the world's biggest human gathering. | This is the most auspicious of six bathing days at the event, billed as the world's biggest human gathering. |
| Millions more bathers are expected before Sunday ends, with 100 million in total across the 55-day festival. | |
| Hindus believe a festival dip at Sangam - where the rivers meet - will cleanse sins and help bring salvation. | Hindus believe a festival dip at Sangam - where the rivers meet - will cleanse sins and help bring salvation. |
| The festival, which is held every 12 years, began on 14 January, when eight million people bathed in the holy waters. | The festival, which is held every 12 years, began on 14 January, when eight million people bathed in the holy waters. |
| This occasion is also a Maha Kumbh Mela, which comes round only once every 144 years. | This occasion is also a Maha Kumbh Mela, which comes round only once every 144 years. |
| 'Unprecedented' | 'Unprecedented' |
| Early in the morning on Sunday, holy men (sadhus) - and some women - belonging to various Hindu monastic orders arrived to bathe. | Early in the morning on Sunday, holy men (sadhus) - and some women - belonging to various Hindu monastic orders arrived to bathe. |
| Carrying pennants, bow and arrow and banners, many danced and beat drums. Some arrived on gaudily decorated chariots. Others arrived on horses. Most were dressed in saffron. | Carrying pennants, bow and arrow and banners, many danced and beat drums. Some arrived on gaudily decorated chariots. Others arrived on horses. Most were dressed in saffron. |
| The sadhus, many of them naked, dreadlocked and smeared in ash, ran to the river amid heavy security. | The sadhus, many of them naked, dreadlocked and smeared in ash, ran to the river amid heavy security. |
| There are also thousands of poor families living under the open skies in cold weather here at the sprawling festival grounds in the northern city of Allahabad. | There are also thousands of poor families living under the open skies in cold weather here at the sprawling festival grounds in the northern city of Allahabad. |
| One young devotee, Ashutosh Pandey, a pharmacy student, said the holy dip was a form of prayer for him. | One young devotee, Ashutosh Pandey, a pharmacy student, said the holy dip was a form of prayer for him. |
| "When I bathe I am praying to God for the good of my country and the world," he said. | "When I bathe I am praying to God for the good of my country and the world," he said. |
| More than 14,000 policemen, along with paramilitary forces and commandos, have been deployed to ensure security on Sunday. | More than 14,000 policemen, along with paramilitary forces and commandos, have been deployed to ensure security on Sunday. |
| Police officers, many of them on horseback, are having a hard time controlling the crowds, as many of the bathers linger to gaze at the colourful processions of the holy men. | Police officers, many of them on horseback, are having a hard time controlling the crowds, as many of the bathers linger to gaze at the colourful processions of the holy men. |
| Kumbh Mela chief Devesh Chaturvedi said that one person had died on Sunday in an incident that was being investigated. | Kumbh Mela chief Devesh Chaturvedi said that one person had died on Sunday in an incident that was being investigated. |
| The festival's police chief, RKS Rathore, said the turnout for Sunday would be "unprecedented". | The festival's police chief, RKS Rathore, said the turnout for Sunday would be "unprecedented". |
| He said some 12 million people had arrived at the festival grounds on Saturday alone. | He said some 12 million people had arrived at the festival grounds on Saturday alone. |
| The bathing on Sunday - the most auspicious day according to Hindu tradition - is taking place at 18 main locations along the river bank. | The bathing on Sunday - the most auspicious day according to Hindu tradition - is taking place at 18 main locations along the river bank. |
| Rajkumar Singh, a government worker from the state of Punjab, said: "I have travelled for three days by bus, train and foot to reach the festival. | Rajkumar Singh, a government worker from the state of Punjab, said: "I have travelled for three days by bus, train and foot to reach the festival. |
| "I believe a bathe on the most auspicious day will get rid of all my sins and will help secure me and my family's future." | "I believe a bathe on the most auspicious day will get rid of all my sins and will help secure me and my family's future." |
| The 14 hospitals at the Mela grounds have already treated more than 150,000 pilgrims since the opening. Two pilgrims have died. | The 14 hospitals at the Mela grounds have already treated more than 150,000 pilgrims since the opening. Two pilgrims have died. |
| Most of those treated suffered from respiratory problems, cold, joint pains and dust allergy, Dr Kalim Aqmal, at the main hospital, said. | Most of those treated suffered from respiratory problems, cold, joint pains and dust allergy, Dr Kalim Aqmal, at the main hospital, said. |
| A "lost-and-found" centre has reunited 40,000 people since the opening of the festival, officials said. | A "lost-and-found" centre has reunited 40,000 people since the opening of the festival, officials said. |
| The Kumbh Mela has its origins in Hindu mythology. | The Kumbh Mela has its origins in Hindu mythology. |
| Many believe that when gods and demons fought over a pitcher of nectar, a few drops fell in the cities of Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar - the four places where the Kumbh festival has been held for centuries. | Many believe that when gods and demons fought over a pitcher of nectar, a few drops fell in the cities of Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar - the four places where the Kumbh festival has been held for centuries. |
| Are you visiting the Kumbh Mela today? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you visiting the Kumbh Mela today? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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