Hindus dip in Ganges for festival

January 13, 2007

Millions throng Indian city of Allahabad ahead of one of the most auspicious days of the "Ardh Kumbh Mela" festival. Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees braved near-freezing temperatures as they arrived in the northern Indian city of Allahabad to wash away their sins in the icy waters of the Ganges River, ahead of the holy bathing days. As many as 70 million people from India and abroad are expected over the whole "Ardh Kumbh Mela" or Half Pitcher Festival, billed as one of the largest gatherings on earth.