Hindu Devotees Defy Health Warnings to Celebrate Chhath Festival

Despite toxic pollution in the Yamuna River, thousands gather for sacred sun god rituals across India.

The Chhath festival, a four-day event honoring the sun god Surya, sees widespread participation across India, including cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Guwahati.
Devotees in Noida, near New Delhi, wade into the heavily polluted Yamuna River, defying court orders that prohibit ritual bathing due to health risks.
Toxic foam on the Yamuna River, caused by industrial pollutants, poses significant health hazards, yet many believe the river's sacredness will protect them.
Environmental concerns highlight the severe pollution in the Yamuna, described as a 'toxic waterway,' with high levels of heavy metals and raw sewage.
Efforts by city authorities to mitigate pollution, such as using anti-foaming agents, have been largely ineffective, with devotees expressing frustration over the lack of lasting solutions.