Scores of naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the water of holy rivers in northern India on Tuesday, dreadlocks flying, during the first 'royal bath' of the Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival.

This is what we call love right 🥺♾️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JHVpGSkwtg The post uploaded by Mishra and showing her father soaking himself in the Maha Kumbh Mela celebrations along with his mother's picture has gone viral on social media and left netizens in tears.

Mahakumbh Nagar (UP): Braving the biting cold, devotees brimming with energy and enthusiasm converged at the Triveni Sangam to take a holy dip at the Mahakumbh on Wednesday. Chants of 'Har Har Mahadev', 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Jai Ganga Maiyya' were heard as the devotees took a dip in the bone-chilling water.

Nearly 15 million Hindus, six times the number expected, took a dip in freezing waters seeking absolution of their sins on Monday (January 13), the first day of India's Maha Kumbh festival, according to State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

India's Mahakumbh Mela, which is the world's largest religious gathering, entered its second day. Over the next six weeks, 400 million visitors are expected to attend the festival. Thousands of religious leaders and pilgrims could be seen charging into the icy waters in a ritual they believe will cleanse them of sin and help them achieve salvation.

By Saurabh Sharma PRAYAGRAJ, India (Reuters) -Naked Hindu ascetics smeared in holy ash charged into the waters of sacred rivers in India on Tuesday, as more than 25 million devotees flocked to the second day of the Maha Kumbh Mela,