Chhath Puja: Devotees take a dip in Yamuna’s toxic foam

Braving hazardous air pollution and low mercury levels, several women devotees thronged the Yamuna banks to pay obeisance to the rising sun, marking the culmination of Chhath Puja. Here are some pictures of devotees offering prayers in toxic foam in Delhi's Yamuna river.

Devotees offer prayers to the rising sun as toxic foam floats on the surface of the polluted Yamuna river during Chhath Puja celebrations in New Delhi. Credit: Reuters Photo

Women apply vermilion on each other's head after taking bath as part of the ritual of four days long Chhath Puja celebration, as toxic form floats on the surface of polluted Yamuna river at Kalindi Kunj, in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

The city government blamed the blight on

However, it did not deter devotees from taking a dip in the river to mark Chhath Puja, a four-day festival to offer prayers to the sun. Credit: Reuters Photo

Women devotees take bath as part of the ritual of four days long Chhath Puja celebration in Yamuna, Delhi. PTI Photo

A woman brushes her teeth as she stands in knee-deep toxic foam in Yamuna river, Delhi. Credit: Reuters Photo

A woman devotee offers prayers to the rising sun as toxic foam floats on the surface of polluted Yamuna river during Chhath Puja celebrations, at Kalindi Kunj, in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees offer prayers to the rising sun in the polluted Yamuna river during Chhath Puja celebrations at Kalindi Kunj in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees perform prayers to the rising sun during Chhath Puja celebrations at the banks of Yamuna in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees offer prayers as part of the rituals of four days long 'Chhath Puja' celebrations at Kalindi Kunj, in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees offer prayers to the rising sun as toxic foam floats on the surface of polluted Yamuna river during Chhath Puja celebrations in Yamuna, Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees offer prayers during Chhath Puja in Yamuna, New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

A woman offers prayers to the rising sun as toxic foam floats on the surface of polluted Yamuna river in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees pray during Chhath Puja at the banks of River Yamuna in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo