Hindu Faithful Plunge Into Indian Rivers for Cleansing Festival

ALLAHABAD, India — Drawn by a new moon, millions of devout Hindus plunged into the revered Ganges River on Friday for one of the most auspicious days of a weekslong pilgrimage aimed cleansing the believers of their sins.

Organizers of the 45-day long festival said they expected more than 10 million people to immerse themselves in the waters where the Yamuna and Ganges rivers are believed to merge with the mystical Sarasvati River near the northern Indian city of Allahabad.

Astrologers determined 6.10 a.m (0140 GMT) as the most auspicious time and hundreds of naked, ash-smeared Indian holy men, or sadhus, led the way toward the waters, followed by the masses.

Full Story.........