Wednesday, 26 August 2015

AP PHOTOS: Thousands bathe at riverside festival in India

Hindu devotees take holy dip in the River Godavari on the first official day of bathing as part of Kumbh Mela celebrations in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. Bathing in sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh festival, or Pitcher Festival, believers say rids them of their sins.
Hindu devotees take holy dip in the River Godavari on the first official day of bathing as part of Kumbh Mela celebrations in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. Bathing in sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh festival, or Pitcher Festival, believers say rids them of their sins.  
 

Indian devotees perform rituals as they take holy dips in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins. Wednesday marked the first day of bathing for those attending this year’s festival on the banks of the Godavari River in Maharashtra state.
Indian devotees perform rituals as they take holy dips in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins. Wednesday marked the first day of bathing for those attending this year’s festival on the banks of the Godavari River in Maharashtra state.    
Hindu women perform rituals on the banks of the Godavari River on the first official day of bathing as part of Kumbh Mela celebrations in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. Bathing in sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh festival, or Pitcher Festival, believers say rids them of their sins.
Hindu women perform rituals on the banks of the Godavari River on the first official day of bathing as part of Kumbh Mela celebrations in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. Bathing in sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh festival, or Pitcher Festival, believers say rids them of their sins.  
An Indian woman devotee performs rituals as others take holy dips in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Thousands of devout Hindus began splashing into the west Indian river for the first official day Wednesday of bathing at one of the country’s largest festivals.
An Indian woman devotee performs rituals as others take holy dips in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Thousands of devout Hindus began splashing into the west Indian river for the first official day Wednesday of bathing at one of the country’s largest festivals.    
Indian devotees perform rituals in Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Thousands of devout Hindus began splashing into the west Indian river for the first official day Wednesday of bathing at one of the country’s largest festivals.
Indian devotees perform rituals in Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Thousands of devout Hindus began splashing into the west Indian river for the first official day Wednesday of bathing at one of the country’s largest festivals.   
Hindu pilgrims offer prayers to an idol of monkey God Hanuman as they gather next to the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, celebrations in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Millions are expected to attend this year’s two-month festival, which began in mid-July and runs until the end of September.
Hindu pilgrims offer prayers to an idol of monkey God Hanuman as they gather next to the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, celebrations in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Millions are expected to attend this year’s two-month festival, which began in mid-July and runs until the end of September.  
Indian devotees perform rituals as they take holy dips in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins. Wednesday marked the first day of bathing for those attending this year’s festival on the banks of the Godavari River in Maharashtra state.
Indian devotees perform rituals as they take holy dips in the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Hindus believe taking a dip in the waters of a holy river during the festival will cleanse them of their sins. Wednesday marked the first day of bathing for those attending this year’s festival on the banks of the Godavari River in Maharashtra state.    
Hindu pilgrims and street vendors gather next to the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, celebrations in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Millions are expected to attend this year’s two-month festival, which began in mid-July and runs until the end of September.
Hindu pilgrims and street vendors gather next to the Godavari River during Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, celebrations in Nasik, India, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Millions are expected to attend this year’s two-month festival, which began in mid-July and runs until the end of September.
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