Month-long Kumbh fair of Hindus starts in India

NEW DELHI, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The month-long Simhastha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest congregations of Hindus in India, started Friday in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh, officials said on Saturday.

The festival began on the banks of River Shipra in Ujjain district, 191 km west of Bophal city, the capital of Madhya Pradesh.

A huge crowd thronged the river bank to take part in the ritual dip, which as per their belief "washes off their sins" and help them achieve salvation.

Officials said devotees included priests, besides men and women of almost all ages from various Indian states and abroad.

Authorities have made adequate arrangements for the festival, besides put in place elaborate security arrangements, which include deployment of thousands of security personnel and installation of closed circuit television cameras along the banks, to avoid any untoward incident.

The congregation is held after a gap of every 12 years.

The Madhya Pradesh government is expecting more than 50 million visitors during the month-long fair.

Reports said nine spots along the river on an eight-km stretch have been earmarked to allow over 100,000 people to bathe and pray at the same time.