Up to a million Hindu pilgrims have gathered on the banks of the River Ganges in northern India, marking the start of a major religious festival that is taking place despite the risks of Covid infection.
Millions more are expected to descend on Haridwar in the coming weeks for Kumbh Mela, one of the world's biggest religious gatherings. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges in the belief that the sacred waters will cleanse them of their sins.
Some pilgrims in Haridwar dismissed the threat from the virus. "India is not like Europe … when it comes to immunity we are better," said 50-year-old Sanjay Sharma. "It's really sad to see people not gathering at Kumbh in the same numbers as they would earlier … The greatest truth on Earth is death. What's the point of living with fear?"
Unesco has recognised Kumbh Mela as intangible cultural heritage. According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a war over a sacred pitcher containing the nectar of immortality. Drops fell at four different locations, which now alternate as hosts.
Several other religious festivals are taking place in India this week, including the Gangasagar Mela in Kolkata, where officials expect about 15,000 people.
Madurai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu is due to host a bull-chasing carnival known as Jallikattu, where revellers grab hold of the beasts' horns as they run through crowds of people.
Up to 1m Hindus gather in India as festival goes ahead amid Covid fears
Millions more expected to descend on Haridwar in coming weeks for Kumbh Mela despite pandemic
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