Thirty million devotees have gathered to take a holy dip at ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj in northern India on February 4.

The Mauni Amavasya or “Silent New Moon Day” which falls on February 4 is believed to be the most auspicious day to take bath during the 50-day long festival.

The day began as early as 3 am with many devotees making a beeline for the Sangam – the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Many devotees followed Naga Sadhus, who danced and sang naked with ash smeared on their bodies.

“Taking bath is difficult as the water is ice cold. You hold your breath and take a plunge,” said Sachin Choudhary of Kanpur.

“Over 10 million devotees had already taken a holy dip and we are expecting about twenty million more. Forty bathing points have been set up in a stretch of eight kilometres,” Kumbh Mela officer Vijay Kiran Anand said.

He said elaborate arrangements had been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the bathing.

Thirty million devotees have gathered to take a holy dip at ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj in North India on February 4.

The Mauni Amavasya or “Silent New Moon Day” which falls on February 4 is believed to be the most auspicious day to take bath during the 50-day long festival.

The day began as early as 3 am with many devotees making a beeline for the Sangam – the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

Many devotees followed Naga Sadhus, who danced and sang naked with ash smeared on their bodies.

“Taking bath is difficult as the water is ice cold. You hold your breath and take a plunge,” said Sachin Choudhary of Kanpur.

“Over 10 million devotees had already taken holy dip and we are expecting about twenty million more. Forty bathing points have been in a stretch of eight kilometres,” Kumbh Mela officer Vijay Kiran Anand said.

He said elaborate arrangements had been made to ensure smooth conduct of the bathing.