Mothers bathed in a polluted river and lathered toxic foam into their hair - using it like shampoo.

The families of devotees gathered by the Yamuna River to celebrate Chhath Puja, a Hindu festival, where they wash themselves in its water as part of purification rituals in New Delhi, India.

However, most of them were seemingly unaware that it carried hazardous wastes being dumped into the waterways.

Footage shows the women rinsing their hair and bodies amid clumps of bubbles containing chemicals from fertilisers and laundry detergent waste.

One of them took a handful of the foam and put it onto her hair as she cleaned herself with a small bucket.

A local said: 'It was prohibited to take a bath there, but they did not know how harmful it was.

'They put the chemical foam into their hair believing it was shampoo. I wouldn't be surprised if they woke up the next day with no hair.'

Authorities said a court order has been issued to stop the locals from bathing in the river.

Chhath Puja Festival celebrates the sun god Surya and his wife, Chhathi Maiya, where devotees worship them to pray for family members' well-being, prosperity, and health.