The Maha Kumbh festival, which began on January 13, has seen a record number of devotees, with over 7 crore taking a dip in the Sangam. On Thursday alone, over 30 lakh devotees bathed.

By Saurabh Sharma PRAYAGRAJ, India (Reuters) -Naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the waters of sacred rivers in India on Tuesday, as more than 25 million devotees flocked to the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela,

Devotees from various States and around the world have been immersing themselves in the spiritual atmosphere of the holy confluence

According to the statistics by the Uttar Pradesh Government, over seven crore devotees have taken holy dip in Sangam at the Maha Kumbh. Adityanath has instructed top officials to oversee the administration of key pilgrimage routes such as Dharmapath, Rampath and Bhaktipath, ensuring that people in need are provided shelter and support.

Prayagraj: In just six days, from Jan 11 to Jan 16, over 7 crore pilgrims have taken the holy dip at the Sangam, marking an unparalleled spiritual mil.

Over 70 million devotees have participated in the world's biggest religious congregation; over 35 million on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on January 14.

Scores of naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the water of holy rivers in northern India on Tuesday, dreadlocks flying, during the first 'royal bath' of the Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival.

India's Mahakumbh Mela, which is the world's largest religious gathering, entered its second day. Over the next six weeks, 400 million visitors are expected to attend the festival. Thousands of religious leaders and pilgrims could be seen charging into the icy waters in a ritual they believe will cleanse them of sin and help them achieve salvation.

The Kumbh originates in a Hindu belief that four drops of the nectar of immortality fell to earth, one in Prayagraj, during a battle between the god Vishnu, known as the Preserver, and demons over a golden pitcher holding the elixir.