Kumbh Mela

Amid a runaway Covid crisis, India feels the pinch of poor governance

Caught unprepared, the BJP government has looked woefully unequal to the task of handling a devastating second wave.

Tens of thousands of Hindus dip into India's holy Ganges amid case spike

One of India's largest Hindu festivals, the Kumbh Mela or pitcher festival that runs until end April kicks off even as officials report the biggest surge in coronavirus cases for three months.

Split between Hindu godmen poses electoral threat to India's ruling BJP

Three decades ago the Hindu far-right used the iconic Kumbh Mela to cultivate support for the demolition of the Mughal-era Babri Mosque, but this time with general elections underway they could not win over the religious congregation in the same way.

In pictures: Millions gather in India for world's largest festival

Millions of pilgrims began bathing on the first official day of India's Kumbh Mela, billed as the world's largest religious festival where politics play an important role ahead of a general election later this year.