Hindu devotees bathe in Ganga and Saryu rivers for Guru Purnima

Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees gathered along the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi and the Saryu in Ayodhya on Monday to take ritual baths marking Guru Purnima, a festival that honors spiritual teachers and mentors. Video footage released by local media captured the massive congregations, with participants entering the waters at dawn and remaining throughout the day to perform prayers and offer flowers.

Guru Purnima, observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Ashadha, traditionally involves bathing in sacred rivers, reciting hymns, and conducting discourses. Authorities in both cities deployed additional police personnel and medical teams to manage the crowds, which officials estimated to number in the tens of thousands. No major incidents were reported, and organizers emphasized adherence to safety protocols, including crowd control barriers and temporary sanitation facilities.

The large turnout underscores the enduring cultural importance of river worship in India’s religious calendar, while the coordinated response by local officials highlights ongoing efforts to ensure public safety during mass gatherings.