By Saurabh Sharma PRAYAGRAJ, India (Reuters) -Naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the waters of sacred rivers in India on Tuesday, part of a large crowd of 35 million devotees who took the holy dip on the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela,

This is what we call love right 🥺♾️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JHVpGSkwtg The post uploaded by Mishra and showing her father soaking himself in the Maha Kumbh Mela celebrations along with his mother's picture has gone viral on social media and left netizens in tears.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is in full swing, and one of its most fascinating aspects is the presence of the Naga Sadhus. Known for their mysterious lives and spiritual strength, these ascetics are an integral part of India’s grandest religious gathering.

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.

Mahakumbh Nagar (UP): Braving the biting cold, devotees brimming with energy and enthusiasm converged at the Triveni Sangam to take a holy dip at the Mahakumbh on Wednesday. Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev', 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Jai Ganga Maiyya' were heard as the devotees took a dip in the bone-chilling water.

A viral claim that Narayana Murthy called for “limited interaction between boys and girls” was debunked by Hindustan Times, which confirmed the screenshot was digitally altered.

Nearly 15 million Hindus, six times the number expected, took a dip in freezing waters seeking absolution of their sins on Monday (January 13), the first day of India's Maha Kumbh festival, according to State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Prayagraj is witnessing an influx of devotees from around the world on the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela. According to the UP DGP, over 10 million devotees have already taken the holy dip. The number of pilgrims from India and abroad continues to grow as more arrive at Triveni Sangam on the third day of this 45-day 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.