Naked holy men lead thousands into Ganges dip as holy festival starts
Led by naked gurus and inspired by mythology, Hindus brave a pilgrimage of religious fervour
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, led by naked, ash-covered holy men, streamed into the sacred river Ganges yesterday at the start of the world's biggest religious festival.
The Kumbh Mela in the Indian town of Allahabad will see up to 100 million Hindus gather over the next 55 days to take a ritual bath in the holy waters, believed to cleanse sins and bestow blessings.
Before daybreak yesterday, a day chosen by astrologers as auspicious, hundreds of gurus, some brandishing swords and tridents, ran into the swirling and freezing waters for the first bath, signalling the start of events.
Assorted dreadlocked holy men, seers and self-proclaimed saints from all over the country have assembled for the colourful and chaotic spectacle, which offers a rare glimpse of the dizzying range of Indian spiritualism.
Mokshanand, a heavily bearded guru who emerged from the water in a small pair of saffron-coloured underpants, said: "I am ecstatic. When I enter the Ganges I feel so happy, it's a feeling I can't explain."
A naga sadhu, one of a devout, permanently naked sect of followers of the Hindu god Shiva, said: "Our biggest wish is that there is peace and that people should look after each other."
For most ordinary Indians, the Kumbh Mela is a religious holiday enjoyed in an almost carnival atmosphere, where prayers and blessings are offered and sought alongside family or friends camping together at the vast festival site.