Millions bathe at Hindu festival

The festival is held every 12 years

About two million Hindus are expected to bathe in the Ganges on an auspicious day of the Maha Kumbh festival in the northern Indian city of Haridwar.

Naga holy men or naked hermits have been taking the "royal bath" or "Shahi Shan" on Friday.

The big, or Maha Kumbh, festivals are held every 12 years, with lesser festivals held at stages in between.

The celebrations at the Maha Kumbh are among the largest religious gatherings in the world.

A festival official said nearly 10,000 security forces had been deployed to control traffic and the surge of devotees.

The BBC's Ram Dutt Tripathi in Haridwar says devotees have been taking the holy bath in the Ganges since early on Friday.

'Spiritual inspiration'

The Naga holy men arrived in colourful processions under tight security.

Hundreds of foreigners are also attending the festival, our correspondent says.

"I am getting spiritual and mystical inspiration from Indian culture," one of the devotees, Mica, who comes from France, said.

According to Hindu mythology, gods and demons fought a celestial war over a pitcher of divine nectar.

The war lasted 12 divine days (which is equal to 12 human years) and that led to the celebration of the Maha Kumbh - the most auspicious gathering held every 12 years.

The half kumbh is celebrated every six years and is also considered auspicious.

However, many say these festivals have now lost their religious sanctity and a large number of visitors come here for reasons other than divine salvation.