More than 500 million take ‘holy dip’ in India’s Maha Kumbh festival

With 12 days still remaining, the total count of visitors to the festival is expected to “soar beyond” 550 to 600 million.

More than 500 million people have taken a “holy dip” in sacred river waters in north India over the last four weeks as part of the Hindu Maha Kumbh festival, authorities said on Friday, greater than the population of most countries.