Indian devotees bathed in mud during a religious ritual that they believe keeps their skin healthy.

Hundreds of Hindu worshippers in Nashik, Maharashtra, gathered ahead of Hanuman Jayanti to participate in the traditional Matti Snan, or Mud Bath, on Sunday, April 13.

The event, deeply rooted in local culture, involves applying a paste made from Ayurvedic mud all over the body.

This practice is believed to protect participants from the harsh summer sun and help prevent various skin disorders.

Footage shows believers covered in the clay, helping each other coat themselves.

Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. Lord Hanuman, often depicted as the monkey god, symbolises strength, devotion, and unwavering loyalty, particularly to Lord Rama.