Hindus amass for India's elephant god festival as COVID-19 cases rise

Thousands of worshippers gathered across India to immerse idols of the Hindu elephant god Lord Ganesha in water.

The ceremonies took place in a week that saw rising COVID-19 cases.

Elaborately painted and decorated idols are worshipped before they are taken during mass processions to rivers, lakes and the sea, where they are immersed in accordance with Hindu faith.

The immersion ceremony, known as “Visarjan,” signifies divine entities returning to their homes after being the guests of the devotees for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

India reported 30,773 new COVID-19 infections on Sunday, taking the country’s total to 33.4 million as it seeks to reopen the country to overseas tourists.

The death toll rose by 309 to 444,838, the health ministry said.

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