Pilgrims at the Ganges - in pictures

Hindu devotees perform rituals and take a holy dip. Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges cleanses them of ther sins Photograph: Strdel/AFP/Getty Images Hundreds of thousands of devotees gather on the banks of the Ganges Photograph: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP A sadhu (Hindu holy man) lifts his head from the water Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images A pilgrim dries saris in the wind Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images Pilgrims perform rituals after taking a dip Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images A devotee empties a vessel while praying Photograph: Piyal Adhikary/EPA Pilgrims offer prayers Photograph: Bikas Das/AP Devotees hold their saris up to dry after taking a dip Photograph: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP A holy man offers prayers Photograph: Bikas Das/AP Pilgrims gather on the banks of the river Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters An older devotee raises water to her face Photograph: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP An elderly man walks back after taking a holy dip Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters