Millions Gather for India’s Kumbh Mela as Pilgrims Plunge into Freezing Rivers

Tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims have begun immersing themselves in the frigid waters of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers at their confluence in Prayagraj, India, marking the start of the six-week Kumbh Mela festival, Al Jazeera reports.

This ancient religious gathering draws devotees seeking absolution from sins and spiritual enlightenment.

Authorities expect more than 2.5 million people to participate in Monday’s first ritual dip, a day that is considered especially auspicious. This will be followed by a “royal bath” on Tuesday, an event traditionally reserved for ascetics who believe the dip will absolve them of sin and grant salvation from the cycle of life and death.

Despite public warnings to maintain order and avoid stopping in place, massive crowds of devotees made their way to the riverbanks before dawn. Chanting invocations such as “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Ganga Maiyya” in praise of Lord Shiva and Mother Ganga, they waded into the waters in the winter morning fog. The air was filled with the sound of prayers, ringing bells, and the vibrant energy of the gathering.

Elaborately adorned Hindu monks carried massive flags representing their various sects, while tractors transformed into chariots transported life-size idols of Hindu gods, accompanied by elephants. This procession added a rich and colorful spectacle to the spiritual proceedings.

The Kumbh Mela’s origins lie in Hindu tradition, where the god Vishnu, known as the Preserver, is believed to have wrestled away from demons a golden pitcher containing the nectar of immortality. During a 12-day celestial battle for the pitcher, four drops of the nectar fell on earth in the cities of Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The festival rotates among these cities every three years. The Kumbh held once every 12 years, such as this one, is known as the “Maha Kumbh” (Great Kumbh) and is considered more auspicious, drawing the largest crowds.

To accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims, expected to be roughly three times the population of Russia, authorities have set up 150,000 tents. Indian police said they were “conducting relentless day-and-night patrols to ensure top-notch security” for the event. The sheer scale of the gathering is illuminated by the installation of 68,000 LED light poles, which makes the site visible from space.

Overnight temperatures hovered around 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit), but pilgrims have said that their faith has warmed them against the chill of the water.