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Millions of Hindus Engage in Massive Cleansing Ritual to Wash Away Their Sins

Jan. 14, 2013 7:12am Billy Hallowell

ALLAHABAD, India (TheBlaze/AP) — Millions of devout Hindus led by naked ascetics with ash smeared on their bodies plunged into the frigid waters of India’s holy Ganges River on Monday in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins. The religious spectacle, starkly different from the method that other faith’s use to cope with personal sin, is a massive gathering.

The ceremony in the northern city of Allahabad took place on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days. The festival continues until March 10.

This is How Hindus Wash Their Sins Away | Maha Kumbh Mela

A naga sadhu bathes in the waters of the holy Ganges river during the auspicious bathing day of Makar Sankranti of the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 14, 2013 in Allahabad, India. The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The Maha Kumbh Mela celebrated at the holy site of Sangam in Allahabad, is the largest and holiest, celebrated over 55 days, it is expected to attract over 100 million people. Credit: Getty Images

Top festival official Mani Prasad Mishra said nearly 3 million people had bathed by late morning and 11 million were expected to enter the frigid water by the day’s end.

Over 110 million people are expected to take a dip at the Sangam, the place where three rivers — the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati — come together at the edge of this North Indian city. There are six auspicious bathing days, decided by the alignment of stars, when the Hindu devout bathe to wash away their sins and free themselves from the cycle of death and rebirth.

A sea of humanity assembled on the river bank as people waited patiently for their turn to step into the water. Men in underpants, women in saris and children — naked and clothed — chanted from Hindu scriptures as they walked into the icy-cold water.

The bathing process was initiated by religious heads of different Hindu monasteries who reached the bathing points, called ghats, riding silver chariots. Some were carried on silver palanquins, accompanied by marching bands. Applause rose from tens of thousands of pilgrims waiting behind barricades as the religious heads set off the ceremony.

A Sadhu or holy man bathes with others like him at the Sangham or the confluence of the the Yamuna and Ganges rivers during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 14, 2013. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

The heads of the monasteries threw flowers on the devotees as they shouted “har har gangey,” or Long Live Ganges.

The biggest spectacle was that of the Naga sadhus, or ascetics, who raced to the river wearing only marigold garlands in a cacophony of religious chants.

About 50,000 policemen have been deployed to keep order at the festival, fearing everything from terrorist attacks to the ever-present danger of stampedes of pilgrims. Several squads policemen on horseback regulated the flow of pilgrims to and from the bathing ghats.

According to Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela celebrates the victory of gods over demons in a furious battle over a nectar that would give them immortality.

Thousands of Hindu devotees gather at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati river on Makar Sankranti, the first day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad, early Monday morning, Jan. 14, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in the large religious congregation, which falls every 12 years and lasts for a period of over a month, during which devotees wash themselves in the waters of the Ganges believing that it washes away their sins and ends the process of reincarnation. Credit: AP

As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns — Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar. The Kumbh Mela is organized four times every 12 years in those towns. Hindus believe that sins accumulated in past and current lives require them to continue the cycle of death and rebirth until they are cleansed. If they bathe at Ganges on the most auspicious day of the festival, believers say they can rid themselves of their sins.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims slept the night on the vast festival grounds in more than 1 million tents — green, blue, and brown — erected all over, while many huddled together under trees. Some 20,000 makeshift toilets have been have been erected, while 10,000 sweepers have been deployed to keep this make-shift tent town clean.

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Comments (46)

Mudd
Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:54pm
Mystics suck.

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vaman
Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:53am
I don’t recall the blaze ever publishing a story about hindus. Now the evangelical has a new group to hate because the hindu doesn’t believe in the religion of 2000 year old middle eastern nomads.

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lessoneleg
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:37pm
One good bottle of Citromag will cleanse the soul in the Ganghis River. And man oh man can you dot an ” I ” at fifty feet as well.

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- jwt
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 5:14pm
  As one of the gods fled with a pitcher of the nectar across the skies, it spilled on four Indian towns — Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar. this happened at the same time as mannna fell in the desert. The Jews today need a river to cleanse their sin as they have no temple.Thank you Jesus!!!
  
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- Max jones
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 1:07pm
  JWT How do you come to this knowledge? Just curious.
  
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- Max jones
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 1:10pm
  JWT….”The Jews today need a river to cleanse their sin as they have no temple.Thank you Jesus!!!”
  Yeah, the Jordan. Then they are called Christians…….How many will answer?
  
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Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:05pm
As of Christmas 2007, 50,000 Christians are hiding in the jungles of the state of Orissa, India due to the systematic killing, raping and burning of Christians and their property.
Do people know that YOu are a Christian and willing to die for Christ because you and your family will not renounce your faith?
This is inspiring.
http://www.persecution.org/

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- Chuck Stein
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:26pm
  Christmas of 2007? What is going on now? Has the persecution ended? Thanks.
  
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RoguePO
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:01pm
Intolerance and the like of hypocrisy when ever I see people spouting off about their religion like some fanatic when they don’t even follow their own book. Even I was able to find this one bit of information; “Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge or you too will be judged”" Christianity, Judaism and Islam scare the **** out of me by all the radicals who think they have the right to judge others for their beliefs. With some even predating that of those three religions. It is like one big popularity contest with you people.

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- LimitedLiabilityUser
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:30am
  @Rogue
  You twist and distort the Scripture, and prove that your eyes have been blinded to the truth. Jesus Christ was talking about judging others for their iniquity, not their beliefs. Even then, He clearly tells us that each tree is known by it’s fruit. Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations, and to provide our bodies and lives in service to His kingdom and the Gospel. These people are no less guilty of sin and trespass against God than I am, but unless you repent and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there is still judgement.
  
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- Max jones
  Posted on February 6, 2013 at 1:26pm
  ROGUEPO…..Judging people Is the Lord’s business. Judging cultures and tradition is mine. Analysis should not avoided just because it may not fit with “political correctness”. Facts are facts, Jack.. All the turmoil and chaos we live in, has got a corollary in the old testament, and a description in the new testament. If I were to witness you, drinking poison and not intercede, I would be failing you, myself and YHVH. I’m not speaking to you of “religion”, I’m talking plain old practical common sense, and wholesome self interest. Do some research in the Gospel. start with an open mind and be sure there is nothing in there that can harm you at all.
  
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wrightbobo
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:59pm
I never tried mutilating my body or cleansing myself of my sins with any sort of ritual because my mind/spirit tells me either the parent of a child or an adult I’ve harmed are the only ones authorized to forgive anything they have against me. Even if they did forgive my sins and reconciled, none had the capacity to give me either peace or empowerment to avoid further sin – - and I still was not right with their Father. I still had to face their angry Father for the harm done to his child (creation).

Fortunately I’ve found what works in the comments made here in the excellent and well tested Blaze replies.

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Wes Hardin
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:46pm
It’s obvious that Paul got the baptism ritual for Christianity from the Hindi religion.

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- wrightbobo
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 4:04pm
  I never tried mutilating my body or cleansing myself of my sins with any sot of ritual because my mind/spirit tells me either the parent of a child or an adult I’ve harmed are the only ones authorized to forgive anything they have against me. Even if they did forgive my sins and reconciled, none had the capacity to give either peace or empowerment to avoid further sin – - and I still was not right with their Father. I still had to face their angry Father for the harm done to his child (creation).
  
  Fortunately I’ve found what works in the comments made in the excellent and well tested Blaze replies.
  
  Report this comment
- freebird1957
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 6:05pm
  There is nothing significant in common with baptism and the Hindu cleansing. Baptism has nothing to do with sin forgiveness, it is a public statement of faith. Baptism is not required for salvation.
  
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am123
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:53pm
All these Hindus are deceived. God is a holy God and a consuming fire. In God’s holy presence, sin is consumed in the fire. We have a mediator for us between us and God. His name is Jesus, the High Priest that meets our needs. For all those that accept Jesus, the Lamb of God, as the sacrifice for their sins and makes Him their Lord and Savior, they in effect “put on” the righteousness and holiness of Jesus Christ. So when God looks at them, He sees not their own righteous (or lack thereof) or holiness (or lack thereof), but He sees the perfect holiness and righteousness of Jesus Christ. And such a person will be able to stand in the presence of God on the Day of Judgment without be burned in the consuming fire.

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@leftfighter
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:56am
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

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- Alexandra Stormwing
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:18pm
  God reveals himself in different ways to different people. Christianity is a wonderful philosophy, and the churches that have developed around it have created wonderful religions, but the one thing they have wrong is the “I’m the only way” part. A truly loving god won’t damn someone on the other side of the world who hasn’t even heard of Jesus Christ. A god who would isn’t a loving god.
  
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- Chuck Stein
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:33pm
  @ Alexandra Stormwing
  “A truly loving god won’t damn someone on the other side of the world who hasn’t even heard of Jesus Christ. A god who would isn’t a loving god.”
  True enough. But at least on Christian religion agrees with that truth — and recognizes heavenly provisions for those among God’s children who have never even heard of Jesus Christ.
  
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- LimitedLiabilityUser
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 2:47pm
  @Chuck and Alexandra
  
  ” but the one thing they have wrong is the “I’m the only way” part.”
  
  “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
  
  “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” Acts 4:12
  
  “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9
  
  “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matt:13-14
  
  If you call yourself a Christian and do not believe that Christ is the only way unto salvation, you have received a false gospel, and the truth is not in you.
  
  Report this comment
- DisgustedinUSA
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:21pm
  Amen. Thats exactly what ran through my mind as well….that song.
  
  Report this comment
- Chuck Stein
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:33pm
  @ Limitedliabilityuser: I call myself a Christian and I believe that Christ is the only way unto salvation. I also believe that God is just and loving and I believe that His children who have never heard the name of jesus Christ in their lifetimes can hear the Gospel after death and can be saved after death. Do you believe that people born 2500 years ago cannot be saved?
  
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- LimitedLiabilityUser
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:22am
  @Chuck
  
  That was more directed to the other poster. Where in the Bible do you see people who have never heard the gospel coming to Christ? Revelation clearly tells us that before the end the gospel shall be preached to every nation. We are all totally depraved in our sinful nature, and our sin suppresses the truth that is clearly known about God and His laws (read Romans 1 and 2).
  
  The saits of the OT were different. The Gospel was preached to the dead: “For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.” 1 Peter 4:6. I don’t know how the mystery works, but there were those in the OT who were obviously graced and received salvation. The Apostle Peter discusses the righteousness of Lot, David is obviously the Lord’s beloved, so I don’t doubt that. God is most certainly loving, and He does not owe us salvation. We all deserve hell, but out of mercy and grace he saves His elect through Christ Jesus. God bless.
  
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- Chuck Stein
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 2:13am
  @ Limitedliabilityuser
  In addition to 1 Peter 4:6, I have also read John 5:25-29 and 1 Corinthians 15:29.
  
  Report this comment
- LimitedLiabilityUser
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 12:16pm
  @Chuck
  
  Yes, but again, that doesn’t refer to salvation by General Revelation. Christ is abundantly clear in John 5:24, the verse before, what he means. I don’t deny those who have fallen asleep in Christ shall rise, whether OT or NT saints, but it is only those who have accepted Jesus Christ and the gospel who shall be saved. There is no Biblical basis to say otherwise.
  
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willbedone
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:41am
OK, On Hymn book page 354, stanzas 1, 2, &4. What can take away our sins?

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rpw4547
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 11:35am
All the water in the world will not cleanse you of sin. Only Jesus can cleanse you of sin and He is the only one who can. If you do not believe it, one day you will.

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warloch
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:43am
You sin to your hearts content all year. Then one day out of the year you get naked with thousands of other men and bathe in a fetid river filled with untreated sewage and that cleans away your sins so you can now sin again till your hearts desire for another year. After you stop by the clinic for your pot bathing hepatitis, penicilin and parasite shots. Where do I sign up?

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- vaman
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:43am
  That river is filthy, but the concept is no worse than the christian sinners that once a year go into a little room and tell a child rapist their sins. Of course I’m referring to you catholics. Then to wash away of all those horrible things the church said you did, just spout of a few prayers and you’re good to go until the next time. Both are superstitions, not to be taken seriously.
  
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raptor45
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:09am
Yep, a cool dip in the corpse and filth filled Ganges ought to be just the ticket for cleaning up the body and soul.

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- G-WHIZ
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 10:35am
  They still won’t smell any better with alla the UBERPOLUTION in that river. :-(
  
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Baikonur
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:55am
Another in a series of baiting for the worst possible human impulses ever.

Usually The Blaze baits for racism, xenophobia, hatred of prominent American or European Jews, hatred of single women, and sometimes it baits for hatred of Catholics. Muslims are always on the menu of reviled objects.

I guess it is the turn of the Hindus now. Let’s all point fingers at them and find Bible verses condemning them in some way.

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- Baikonur
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 9:13am
  And as religions go, Hinduism and Jainism are more civilized than the Judeo-Christian-Islamic concept of God. More peaceful, more ancient, more inclusive and contemplative, more reasonable.
  
  And nothing in science contradicts the Jain concept of universal laws. In fact, everything we discover in science supports the Jain model of the Universe more and more.
  
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- Desertcatn
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 12:30pm
  Is that why there is an epidemic of women being raped in India? The gang-rape victim who recently died, had her intestines pulled out and then was thrown in to the street! Sick!
  
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1snake1
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 8:27am
I love how blazers make fun of this, but believe that by telepathically communicating with the ghost of a 2,000 years dead Jew they can enter in to a mansion in space.

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- Desertcatn
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 1:27pm
  Why do you care?
  
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- DeavonReye
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 3:23pm
  I will smooth that out a bit. It is interesting that one religious group will tend to bash another religious group [an their practices] when both operate on the principle of “faith”.
  
  Why would a non-religious person comment on it? Why not? Religion is a fascinating topic for many who don’t belong [any longer,...for some] to any religion.
  
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- vaman
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 8:49am
  Exactly. The christian believes his personal belief system of mysticism is somehow better than anyone else’s.
  
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- Desertcatn
  Posted on January 15, 2013 at 1:14pm
  Who is bashing who? I could care less what you choose to believe, why are you picking fights with Christians?
  
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jackact
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:55am
This is something liberals may wish to consider here in America.

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GuruMeditation
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:42am
Re-inventing?

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ares338
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:23am
Oh this is also good because it’s the only bath they get all year.

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- SacredHonor1776
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:32am
  I don’t think the Ganges is known for its purity… A very dirty river?
  
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ares338
Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:21am
Give Obama, Biden, Reid and Pelosi a dunk too while you’re at it.

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- rose.777
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:42am
  agree
  
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- piper60
  Posted on January 14, 2013 at 7:49am
  They’d probably want the EPA to do an environmental impact study first.
  
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