Worshippers bathe in highly polluted waters in northern India
- 6 years ago
These devout Hindus are excited to bathe in holy waters as part of the Chhath puja festival – despite the river in which they swim being incredibly polluted.
During the four-day long festival, worshippers in northern India and Nepal offer prayers to the Sun God and take dips in the Yamuna river, the longest tributary of the Ganges.
The river runs through Dehli for 22km (13 miles), attracting thousands of people to the riverbanks.
But the waters are incredibly polluted.
As seen in footage from October 2017, toxic white foam sits atop the river, filled with chemicals.
Despite looking like snow or a pleasant bubble bath, the foam actually contains black scum and carries a strong sulphur smell.
Despite the clear health issues, worshippers and pilgrims still bathe in the river at the festival, held just before the winter sets in.
Video by India Photo Agency.
During the four-day long festival, worshippers in northern India and Nepal offer prayers to the Sun God and take dips in the Yamuna river, the longest tributary of the Ganges.
The river runs through Dehli for 22km (13 miles), attracting thousands of people to the riverbanks.
But the waters are incredibly polluted.
As seen in footage from October 2017, toxic white foam sits atop the river, filled with chemicals.
Despite looking like snow or a pleasant bubble bath, the foam actually contains black scum and carries a strong sulphur smell.
Despite the clear health issues, worshippers and pilgrims still bathe in the river at the festival, held just before the winter sets in.
Video by India Photo Agency.