Six weeks, 70 million bathers

Why are 70 million Hindus traveling to take a dip in the Ganges River?

According to a recent article from Reuters, an expected 70 million Hindus will travel to northern India over the first six weeks of 2007 to participate in the Ardh Kumbh Mela, also known as the “Half Pitcher Festival.” This event falls midway between the Maha Kumbh Mela (Great Pitcher Festival) which occurs every twelve years.

The article explains that Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges cleanses them of sin. Millions will travel to Allahabad (the holy city) to participate in the festival. Officials anticipate that the first week will draw five million visitors, while Mauni Amavasya (on January 19) will draw the largest crowd of 25 million.

Previous festivals in 1989 and 2001 set the Guinness World record for “largest gathering of human beings for a single purpose”, according to Reuters. The festival begins on January 3, 2007, and is expected to set a new record for attendance.