OVER A MILLION PILGRIMS

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1936, Page 7

OVER A MILLION PILGRIMS

HINDUS “CURE THEIR ILLS” IN SACRED RIVER

(.United Press Association.-By Electric Telegraph.r~~Copyright.l (Received 10 a.m.) CALCUTTA, January 8. There was an amazing scene near Allahabad at dawn today. More than 1,000,000 devout Hindus, after having slept in the open on a bitterly cold night, clad in the thinnest cotton clothing, plunged into the icy waters at the confluence of the sacred rivers Ganges and Jumna, in the belief that their past sins would be washed away, and they would gain great future blessing. The festival, known as the Kumbh Mela, occurs every 12 years, and attracts pilgrims from ail parts of India.

The Government had stationed in the vicinity special British and Indian officials, 100 doctors and nurses and ambulances to assist the devotees, many of whom were aged and sick. They devoutedly believe the immersion will cure their ills and rei store their youth.

Special roads and railway stations have been constructed to accommodate the rush of pilgrims, who are expected to number 3,000,000 by January 24—the last day of the festival.